United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

BETHEL MAN CHARGED WITH IMPERSONATING A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced today that LYLE R. WAHLBERG, age 58, of 30 Quaker Ridge Road, Bethel, Connecticut, was indicted by a grand jury on February 3, 2004, for impersonating a federal employee.

According to United States Attorney O'Connor, the incident that led to the charges in the indictment occurred on January 12, 2004 in Ivoryton, Connecticut. WAHLBERG pretended to be an employee of the United States Department of Defense.

"Conduct such as WAHLBERG'S erodes public confidence in federal departments and agencies," United States Attorney O'Connor stated. "The purpose of the statute under which he is charged is to maintain the dignity, prestige and importance of government service."

If convicted, WAHLBERG faces imprisonment for as long as three years and a fine of up to $250,000.

United States Attorney O'Connor stressed that an indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the Government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Calvin B. Kurimai.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov