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Money Laundering

Ex-Aide To 2 NY Governors Raked In Millions As Agent Of Chinese Government: Feds Ex-Aide To 2 NY Governors Raked In Millions As Agent Of Chinese Government: Feds
Ex-Aide To 2 NY Governors Raked In Millions As Agent Of Chinese Government: Feds This story has been updated. A former aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is accused of acting as an agent for the Chinese government. Long Island residents Linda Sun, age 41, and her husband Chris Hu, age 40, were arrested at their Manhasset home on Tuesday morning, Sept. 3, on charges of violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, money laundering, and related charges. According to federal prosecutors, Sun – who served as Hochul’s deputy chief of staff before being fired in 2023 – engaged in numerous political activities at the behest of Chinese government …
Ex-Rep. Santos To Plead Guilty In Federal Trial: Reports Ex-Rep. Santos To Plead Guilty In Federal Trial: Reports
Ex-Rep. Santos To Plead Guilty In Federal Trial: Reports Former Republican Rep. George Santos is expected to plead guilty to federal charges weeks ahead of his upcoming trial, multiple news outlets are reporting.  The 36-year-old Santos, who represented New York's 3rd Congressional District, faces 23 federal charges including identity theft, wire fraud, money laundering, and lying to Congress.  NBC News reported that Santos' lawyers and federal investigators are hammering out a plea deal on some of those charges that will be presented to a judge on Monday, Aug. 19. The details on that agreement, which charges he will admit to, and …
Ousted Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You' Ousted Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You'
Ousted Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You' Former Rep. George Santos may have been banished out into the political cold, but he's kept his grudges hot.  The 36-year-old former Republican who served New York's 3rd District posted a video Tuesday night, Aug. 6, celebrating after another member of the so-called "Squad" lost her primary. Related: Santos Announces Comeback Bid After Being Ousted From Congress Rep. Cori Bush, who has served Missouri's 1st District since 2021, lost her bid on Tuesday to remain on the Democratic ticket to local prosecutor Wesley Bell, who garnered 51 percent of the vote to Bush's 45, according to NBC …
Ex-NY Nurse May Dodge Jail After Making $1M Selling Fake Vaccine Cards, Prescriptions Ex-NY Nurse May Dodge Jail After Making $1M Selling Fake Vaccine Cards, Prescriptions
Ex-NY Nurse May Dodge Jail After Making $1M Selling Fake Vaccine Cards, Prescriptions A former pediatric nurse from Long Island could avoid jail time after confessing that she raked in over $1 million selling forged COVID-19 vaccine cards and opioid prescriptions. Julie DeVuono, age 51, of Amityville, pleaded guilty to filing forged vaccination record cards, laundering the criminal proceeds from selling the cards, and filing false prescriptions for opioids in Suffolk County Court in September 2023. According to prosecutors, DeVuono charged her customers $220 or $350, depending on the year, between June 2021 and September 2022 for entering their false vaccine information into…
George Santos Announces Comeback Bid For NY Congressional Seat: 'Off To The Races' George Santos Announces Comeback Bid For NY Congressional Seat: 'Off To The Races'
George Santos Announces Comeback Bid For NY Congressional Seat: 'Off To The Races' Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos is mounting a comeback campaign. The Republican ex-lawmaker from Long Island – who was ousted from his 3rd District seat representing parts of Nassau County and Queens – announced a primary challenge against Rep. Nick LaLota for his 1st District seat. In a statement on X shared during President Biden’s State of the Union address Thursday night, March 7, Santos said New York hasn’t had “a real conservative represent them” since he left office “thanks to RINO, empty suits like Nick LaLota.” Earlier Report: Exiled Congressman Turned Reality …
George Santos In Talks For Plea Deal In 23-Count Federal Case, Court Filing Shows George Santos In Talks For Plea Deal In 23-Count Federal Case, Court Filing Shows
George Santos In Talks For Plea Deal In 23-Count Federal Case, Court Filing Shows Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos may avoid leaving his fate up to a trial in his federal fraud case. The Republican ex-congressman is currently in talks with federal prosecutors for a possible plea deal in his 23-count criminal case, according to a filing in Central Islip federal court on Monday, Dec. 11. In the joint filing, US Attorney Breon Peace and Santos asked the court to schedule the next status conference in approximately 30 days, saying “the parties are presently engaged in plea negotiations with the goal of resolving this matter without the need for a trial.” Earli…
Fairfield County Congressman Votes Against Expelling Rep. Santos: 'I'm Not F'ing Around' Fairfield County Congressman Votes Against Expelling Rep. Santos: 'I'm Not F'ing Around'
Fairfield County Congressman Votes Against Expelling Rep. Santos: 'I'm Not F'ing Around' A Connecticut congressman is defending his decision to vote against expelling New York Rep. George Santos from Congress despite the fact that he is facing almost two dozen federal criminal charges.  Rep. Jim Himes, who represents Connecticut's 4th congressional district, voted against expelling Santos during a resolution to oust him brought by his fellow New York Republicans on Wednesday night, Nov. 1.  Earlier Report - NY Rep. George Santos Dodges Expulsion From House: 'Victory For Due Process' The 4th District includes parts of Fairfield and New Haven counties, including the cities of B…
George Santos Dodges Expulsion From House: 'Victory For Due Process' George Santos Dodges Expulsion From House: 'Victory For Due Process'
George Santos Dodges Expulsion From House: 'Victory For Due Process' New York Rep. George Santos, who admitted to lying about his background and is facing nearly two dozen federal criminal charges, is claiming victory after an effort to expel him from Congress failed. The freshman Republican lawmaker from Long Island, whose 3rd District represents parts of Nassau County and Queens, easily survived a resolution brought by his fellow New York Republicans to oust Santos from the House on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The resolution failed with 179 members voting in favor and 213 voting against. Nineteen members voted “present.” Earlier Report: George Santos Pleads Not…
NY Congressman George Santos Now In Custody, Facing 13 Federal Charges: Here's Rundown NY Congressman George Santos Now In Custody, Facing 13 Federal Charges: Here's Rundown
NY Congressman George Santos Now In Custody, Facing 13 Federal Charges: Here's Rundown Click here for a new, updated story: Trio Of Schemes That Led To Santos Arrest Detailed By Feds; Rep Not Resigning Over 'Witch Hunt' US Congressman George Santos was arrested early Wednesday, May 10 on a 13-count indictment. The arrest took place early Wednesday in Central Islip. According to the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York's Office, Santos, a 34-year-old right-wing Republican, was charged with: Seven counts of wire fraud,  Three counts of money laundering,  Theft of public funds,  Two counts of making false statements on federal disclosure forms.…
Woman Tried Depositing Stolen Check Worth Nearly $600K At Darien Bank, Police Say Woman Tried Depositing Stolen Check Worth Nearly $600K At Darien Bank, Police Say
Woman Tried Depositing Stolen Check Worth Nearly $600K At Darien Bank, Police Say A woman faces larceny and identity theft charges after she deposited a stolen check worth almost $600,000 into a fraudulent account at a bank in Darien, police said.  An arrest warrant for 54-year-old Donna Hurley of New York City on charges related to bank forgery was served on Wednesday, Feb. 8 by a Darien police officer at Stamford Superior Court, according to Sergeant Dan Skoumbros.  The fraudulent activity leading up to Hurley's arrest began in October 2022, when Hurley allegedly opened a business account at the First Country Bank located at 1006 Post Rd. on Tu…
'Mobile Dispensary’ Bust: Duo Accused Of Illegally Selling Marijuana In Naugatuck 'Mobile Dispensary’ Bust: Duo Accused Of Illegally Selling Marijuana In Naugatuck
'Mobile Dispensary’ Bust: Duo Accused Of Illegally Selling Marijuana In Naugatuck Two men have been charged with allegedly selling marijuana illegally in the parking lot of a Connecticut Walmart. The incident took place in New Haven County on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 2 and 3, in the area of Walmart at 1100 New Haven Road in Naugatuck. On Feb. 2 and 3, the Naugatuck Police Department began getting complaints about a van in the area of Walmart, due to its markings and soliciting in the area, the police department said. The van was marked with decals advertising as a "Mobile Dispensary" with marijuana leave decals covering the body of the van. It was reported th…
Westchester Man Plotted To Assassinate Journalist For Criticizing Iranian Government, Feds Say Westchester Man Plotted To Assassinate Journalist For Criticizing Iranian Government, Feds Say
Westchester Man Plotted To Assassinate Journalist For Criticizing Iranian Government, Feds Say A New York man is among three people implicated in an alleged plot to assassinate an Iranian-American journalist on US soil over her criticism of the Iranian government, authorities said. Westchester County resident Khalid Mehdiyev, age 24, of Yonkers, is named in a superseding indictment that was unsealed in the Southern District of New York on Friday, Jan. 27, against three people for murder-for-hire and money-laundering charges. Federal prosecutors allege that Mehdiyev is a member of a violent Eastern European criminal organization that has ties to Iran and has engaged in murders, kidna…
5 Charged In illegal Gambling Operation Allegedly Run By Lucchese Crime Family 5 Charged In illegal Gambling Operation Allegedly Run By Lucchese Crime Family
5 Charged In illegal Gambling Operation Allegedly Run By Lucchese Crime Family Five New York men, including three from Westchester County, have been accused of overseeing and operating a 15-year long, large-scale illegal, online gambling business with suspected ties to the Lucchese crime family, federal authorities announced. An indictment was unsealed in Brooklyn Federal Court on Wednesday, Sept. 14 charging them for their roles overseeing and operating a large-scale illegal, online gambling business under the protection of the Lucchese organized crime family. The gambling business known as “Rhino Sports” utilized an offshore website and dozens of bookmakers in …
‘Trusted Lieutenant’ Of Westchester College Sex-Cult Leader Admits To Conspiracy ‘Trusted Lieutenant’ Of Westchester College Sex-Cult Leader Admits To Conspiracy
‘Trusted Lieutenant’ Of Westchester College Sex-Cult Leader Admits To Conspiracy A former Westchester County college student who fell under the spell of convicted sex-cult leader Larry Ray has pleaded guilty to conspiring to launder money for his illegal dealings. Isabella Pollok, age 31, a former student at Sarah Lawrence College, located near the border of Yonkers and Bronxville, who was described as Ray's "trusted lieutenant," pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Sept. 7 to one count related to Ray's twisted plot in Manhattan federal court. Ray, now age 62, will be sentenced in December on more than a dozen charges, including extortion, sex trafficking, and racketeering cons…
CT Man Sentenced For Scams That Defrauded Hundreds Of Victims Across US Out Of Millions CT Man Sentenced For Scams That Defrauded Hundreds Of Victims Across US Out Of Millions
CT Man Sentenced For Scams That Defrauded Hundreds Of Victims Across US Out Of Millions A Connecticut man who took part in a massive scheme defrauding elderly victims out of millions of dollars is heading to federal prison. Rodney Thomas, age 31, of New Haven, was sentenced to six years behind bars Tuesday, Aug. 23 in federal court in Bridgeport after a jury convicted him of multiple charges stemming from the scheme. Federal prosecutors said Thomas and several others bilked 200 elderly victims across the country out of more than $5 million through bogus lottery and romance scams carried out between August 2015 and March 2020. Some unsuspecting victims were duped into sendin…
5 CT Men Indicted For Scheme To Steal, Sell Catalytic Converters 5 CT Men Indicted For Scheme To Steal, Sell Catalytic Converters
5 CT Men Indicted For Scheme To Steal, Sell Catalytic Converters An investigation into stolen catalytic converters across Connecticut has resulted in federal charges against five men accused of running a multi-state trafficking ring. A federal grand jury in New Haven returned a nine-count indictment Tuesday, Aug. 16, charging the following individuals: Alexander Kolitsas, age 28, of Wolcott; Bryant Bermudez, age 31, of East Hartford; Roberto Alicea, age 30, of New Britain; Francisco Ayala, age 22, of Ansonia; Theodore Owens, age 21, of Hartford. Federal prosecutors said Bermudez began working for Kolitsas in November 2021 at his business, Downpipe D…
Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Role In $5M Lottery, Romance Fraud Schemes Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Role In $5M Lottery, Romance Fraud Schemes
Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Role In $5M Lottery, Romance Fraud Schemes A Connecticut man who took part in a massive scheme defrauding elderly victims out of millions of dollars is heading to federal prison. Stanley Pierre, age 35, of Bridgeport was sentenced to 2 ½ years behind bars Wednesday, Aug. 3 in federal court in Bridgeport after pleading guilty to one count of money laundering. Federal prosecutors said Pierre and several others bilked 200 elderly victims across the country out of more than $5 million through bogus lottery and romance scams carried out between August 2015 and March 2020. Some unsuspecting victims were duped into sending money after the…
Ex-Employee Accused Of Stealing $8.4 Million From NY Private School Ex-Employee Accused Of Stealing $8.4 Million From NY Private School
Ex-Employee Accused Of Stealing $8.4 Million From NY Private School A 51-year-old man was indicted for allegedly stealing $8.4 million from a New York private school during the 11-year period when he worked there. Long Island resident David Ostrove, of West Islip, was indicted on charges of first-degree grand larceny and first-degree money laundering for allegedly stealing from the Schechter School of Long Island, located in Nassau County, in Williston Park, while he worked as chief financial and technology officer and director of operations, according to an announcement from Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney on Monday, July 25. “As alleged i…
Fairfield County Resident Sentenced For Defrauding Investors, Ordered To Pay $1.5 Million Fairfield County Resident Sentenced For Defrauding Investors, Ordered To Pay $1.5 Million
Fairfield County Resident Sentenced For Defrauding Investors, Ordered To Pay $1.5 Million A man from Fairfield County will spend three years in federal prison for defrauding investors. Samuel Klein, age 66, of Greenwich, was sentenced to 36 months behind bars Tuesday, May 3. It followed a guilty plea in which Klein admitted to making false representations to an investor in his company, Visual Group LLC, in 2018, the US Attorney’s Office said. He allegedly told the victim that their $200,000 check would be invested in distressed debt despite knowing that not all of the money would be used for that purpose, prosecutors said. Distressed debt is another term for bonds that are b…
Man Ordered To Pay $3M For Scheme To Defraud Company In Region Man Ordered To Pay $3M For Scheme To Defraud Company In Region
Man Ordered To Pay $3M For Scheme To Defraud Company In Region A man from the region will have to pay millions of dollars after admitting to defrauding a Massachusetts-based company. Brian Halpern, age 49, of the town of Florida in Berkshire County, was sentenced in federal court in Boston Wednesday, April 27, after pleading guilty to wire fraud and money laundering, the US Attorney’s Office said. Federal prosecutors said between 1998 and 2019, Halpern and others defrauded a uniform-supply business by creating a phony supply company that sent the uniform business more than $3 million in invoices for products that were never delivered or used. A judge…
CT Trio Found Guilty In $5 Million Fraud Scheme CT Trio Found Guilty In $5 Million Fraud Scheme
CT Trio Found Guilty In $5 Million Fraud Scheme Three former Connecticut residents were found guilty of charges related to their participation in scams that defrauded hundreds of victims across the United States of a total of more than $5 million. Farouq Fasasi, age 27, 31-year-old Rodney Thomas Jr., and 32-year-old Ralph Pierre, all ex-New Haven residents, were convicted on Tuesday, Feb. 15, of conspiracy, fraud and money laundering offenses, according to US Attorney Leonard Boyle. Between August of 2015 and March of 2020, Fasasi, Thomas and others participated in lottery scams and romance scams to get victims to send them money, gift c…
NY Financial Advisor Accused Of Misappropriating More Than $1M From Client, Prospective Clients NY Financial Advisor Accused Of Misappropriating More Than $1M From Client, Prospective Clients
NY Financial Advisor Accused Of Misappropriating More Than $1M From Client, Prospective Clients A former registered investment adviser and founder of a New York financial advisory firm has been charged with fraud and money laundering. An indictment was unsealed on Monday, Dec. 6 in federal court in Central Islip charging Long Island resident Jeffrey Slothower, of Suffolk County, with wire fraud, investment adviser fraud, and money laundering in connection with a scheme to misappropriate more than $1 million from current and prospective clients. Slothower was arrested earlier in the day at his home in Southampton. “As alleged, Slothower executed a calculated scheme in which he repeate…
CT Auto Dealer Admits To Cocaine Trafficking, Money Laundering CT Auto Dealer Admits To Cocaine Trafficking, Money Laundering
CT Auto Dealer Admits To Cocaine Trafficking, Money Laundering A Western Massachusetts man admitted to conspiring to traffic cocaine and using his Connecticut auto dealership to launder money following a yearlong investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking organization supplying narcotics to dealers in multiple states from Mexico, authorities announced. Miguel Betancourt, age 53, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to single counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine conspiracy to commit money laundering in federal court. Acting US Attorney Nathaniel Mendell said that Betancourt was indicted in November 2017 as part of a 14-month wiretap investig…
CT Man Accused Of Defrauding Investors CT Man Accused Of Defrauding Investors
CT Man Accused Of Defrauding Investors A Connecticut man has been indicted on 17 counts of allegedly defrauding investors of an alcoholic beverage company. Brian Hughes, 56, of Madison, was indicted on Friday, Jan. 15, following his arrest, said John H. Durham, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. The indictment alleges that in March 2015, Hughes founded Handcrafted Brands, for the purpose of raising money to purchase Salute American Vodka, an alcoholic beverage company.  After founding the company, Hughes allegedly solicited and received funds from investors for the purchase and development of Salute.  &nb…
Gambino Crime Family Members From Region Admit To Multiple Crimes Gambino Crime Family Members From Region Admit To Multiple Crimes
Gambino Crime Family Members From Region Admit To Multiple Crimes A dozen members and associates of the Gambino organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra admitted to multiple crimes, including racketeering conspiracy, fraud, obstruction of justice and related offenses for criminal activities throughout the New York metropolitan area committed as part of the illicit activities of the Gambino family. One additional defendant pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return.  The defendants also agreed to pay $1.6 million in penalties. The pleas were entered throughout the past week at federal court in Brooklyn. According to court filings and facts presente…
Westchester Man Arrested For Role In Decade-Long $1M Ponzi Scheme Westchester Man Arrested For Role In Decade-Long $1M Ponzi Scheme
Westchester Man Arrested For Role In Decade-Long $1M Ponzi Scheme A Westchester County man was arrested this week for his role in a near decade-long Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors in New York and other parts of the country out of more than $1 million. White Plains resident James Doyle, 72, and Carl Carro, 59, of Walton, Delaware, the purported managing directors of headhunting companies Endeavor Management Solutions and Endeavor Consultancy, have been charged in a 42-count indictment for their roles in the schema. Specifically, the two were charged with multiple counts of money laundering, grand larceny, securities fraud, and scheme to defraud. Ne…
Woman Nabbed For Sophisticated Credit/Debit Card Scam In Fairfield County Woman Nabbed For Sophisticated Credit/Debit Card Scam In Fairfield County
Woman Nabbed For Sophisticated Credit/Debit Card Scam In Fairfield County A Fairfield County woman has been arrested for an alleged credit/debit card scam after being caught using one at a Greenwich Avenue business. Athanasai Sgouris, 58, of Stamford, was arrested on Monday, Dec. 14 after Greenwich Police responded to a Central Greenwich business on the report of the scam, police said. While on the scene, officers made contact with Sgouris and found that using an online web application she was allegedly orchestrating a gift card conversion scam that defrauded the company out of $3,250, police said. The investigation revealed that Sgouris was laundering money thr…
Fairfield County Man Among People, Businesses Charged For Auto Fraud Fairfield County Man Among People, Businesses Charged For Auto Fraud
Fairfield County Man Among People, Businesses Charged For Auto Fraud A two-year investigation into an auto fraud scheme in Westchester and the Bronx led to the arrest of nine people and five businesses that are now facing charges for trying to pull a fast one on their customers. “Operation Sledgehammer,” an enterprise insurance fraud scheme that operated in lower Westchester and the Bronx has been taken down, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr. announced on Wednesday, Dec. 9. Those charged were: Ronnie Lee-Andros Jawahir, of New Rochelle; Allan Ramdeo Ramiah, of New Rochelle; Joseph Cermele, of Scarsdale; Ronald Jawahir, of the Bro…
Greenwich Man Charged For Alleged NY Investment Fraud Scheme, Feds Announce Greenwich Man Charged For Alleged NY Investment Fraud Scheme, Feds Announce
Greenwich Man Charged For Alleged NY Investment Fraud Scheme, Feds Announce A Greenwich man could face 20 years in prison after allegedly depositing money given to him by a New York investor for his LLC in a Connecticut bank, soliciting more money from the investor for bogus title insurance and ultimately using the money for personal expenditures.  Samuel Klein, 64, was indicted on Monday, Dec. 7 on charges of interstate transportation of property taken by fraud and money laundering, according to the office of U.S. Attorney for the State of Connecticut John H. Durham.  The victim reportedly invested $200,000 in Klein's LLC, "Visual Group," then an additio…
Ex-Trump Strategist Steve Bannon Arrested In Yacht Along CT Coast Ex-Trump Strategist Steve Bannon Arrested In Yacht Along CT Coast
Ex-Trump Strategist Steve Bannon Arrested In Yacht Along CT Coast Ex-Trump strategist Steve Bannon was cruising along the Connecticut shoreline in a yacht when he was arrested Thursday, Aug. 20, on fraud charges. Bannon, and three others, is being charged with defrauding donors in a border wall fundraising scam, according to law enforcement officials. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. More news is coming out about the arrest and Bannon had a court hearing scheduled for late afternoon. Bannon was apparently on a $28 million yacht owned by a Chinese exiled billionaire, …
Ex-Trump Strategist Steve Bannon Was On Yacht Off CT Coast When Arrested For Defrauding Donors Ex-Trump Strategist Steve Bannon Was On Yacht Off CT Coast When Arrested For Defrauding Donors
Ex-Trump Strategist Steve Bannon Was On Yacht Off CT Coast When Arrested For Defrauding Donors Steve Bannon, the former chief strategist for President Donald Trump, was aboard a yacht off the Connecticut coast when he was arrested and taken into custody for allegedly defrauding hundreds of thousands of donors. Bannon was on the yacht named "Lady May" off Westbrook, in Middlesex County, Connecticut on Thursday morning, Aug. 20 when six federal agents representing the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and a member of the United States Coast Guard who were aboard a Coast Guard marine unit arrived to serve Bannon his s…