Three charged with defrauding energy clients

Federal authorities in Philadelphia on Wednesday charged three men who operated an Allentown energy brokerage with defrauding business clients.

United States Attorney Zane David Memeger announced charges against Michael Mateja, 27, of North Andover, Mass., Matthew Morgan, 39, of Schnecksville, Pa.; and Samuel Puleo, 26, of Fogelsville, Pa. Mateja and Puleo owned and operated Coastal Energy, L.L.C., which negotiated electricity supply contracts for clients. Investigators allege they and Morgan altered energy supply contracts so that clients were charged more than they agreed to.

The three were charged with wire fraud and face sentences of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Mateja and Morgan were also charged with obstruction of justice for an alleged attempt to delete documents on Coastal's computers.

– Andrew Maykuth