LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — An Old Forge man pled guilty to money laundering after profiting more than $434,000 from selling stolen telecommunications equipment on eBay, according to the Department of Justice.
John Festino, 66, who used to be a field engineer for a multinational telecommunications company, started listing stolen equipment taken from his employer on eBay and other internet outlets in December 2024.
Through July 2025, Festino pocketed $434,550, according to U.S. Attorney Brian Miller. He bought a new vehicle for $41,000 with the proceeds from the stolen equipment, the DOJ said.
Festino’s former employer told the DOJ that the equipment stolen by Festino is valued at around $2.2 million.
He faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, according to sentencing guidelines.