Ex-World Health Alternatives employee charged

Federal prosecutors Tuesday charged a Westmoreland County woman with failing to notify authorities about a crime, namely that her former Wilkins employer provided false information to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Deanna Seruga, 32, of Harrison City is charged through a criminal information with one count of failing to report knowledge of a felony. Prosecutors accuse Seruga, a former controller at World Health Alternatives, of knowing that her bosses were certifying quarterly SEC filings that misrepresented information.

Seruga is charged with knowing the defunct company's chief executive officer and chief financial officer -- positions held by Richard McDonald -- submitted fraudulent documents were filed in fall 2003.

World Health Alternatives filed for bankruptcy in 2006 and sold its assets to Jackson Healthcare Staffing.

Stockholders sued McDonald and others blamed for the company's demise. U.S. Distrtict Judge Terrence McVerry in June 2007 approved $2.7 million settlement.