St. Louis Bar Co-Owner Admits Fraud

ST. LOUIS - The co-owner of a St. Louis bar on Monday admitted obtaining a credit card in the name of one of his co-owners and using it to charge nearly $30,000.

Anthony Saputo, 44, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of engaging in illegal transactions with an access device. Saputo admitted that on Sept. 9, 2021, while another of the bar's co-owners was out of the country, he applied for and obtained an American Express card by using her name and Social Security number without her knowledge or authorization. In the next two months, Saputo charged nearly $30,000 on the card, including a $3,000 cash advance that he used to pay his rent and car loan. Some of the charges were also business expenses related to the opening of the bar. Saputo failed to pay the balance, incurring significant penalties and interest.

Saputo, of St. Louis County, is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1. As part of his plea agreement, he has agreed to release any ownership interest in the LLC that owns the bar. He will also be ordered to pay restitution.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwendolyn Carroll is prosecuting the case.