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CT Man Steals Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars From Tech Company: Here's His Sentence CT Man Steals Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars From Tech Company: Here's His Sentence
CT Man Steals Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars From Tech Company: Here's His Sentence A Connecticut man has received his sentence after stealing tens of thousands of dollars in products from a technology company, federal officials announced.  New London County resident Myron Ware of Colchester, age 49, was sentenced on Wednesday, Jan. 3 to three years of probation for defrauding a computer technology company, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced. According to federal officials, between 2017 and 2020, Ware would identify companies and organizations that had previously bought computer parts and components from the Texas-based company tha…

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by Ben Crnic
News
$248K Scheme: Wilton Man Admits Selling 145 Fraudulent Paintings To Victims $248K Scheme: Wilton Man Admits Selling 145 Fraudulent Paintings To Victims
$248K Scheme: Wilton Man Admits Selling 145 Fraudulent Paintings To Victims A Fairfield County man has admitted to participating in a scheme to sell counterfeit paintings and defrauding victims out of more than $248,000.  Wilton resident Nicholas Hatch, age 29, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty on Monday, Aug. 7 to a fraud offense resulting from his scheme to sell fraudulent paintings, according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut.  According to federal officials, Hatch, the owner of Norwalk-based estate sales company Hatch Estate Services LLC, used various websites between April 2020 and January 2022 to …

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by Ben Crnic
News
$450K Scheme: CT Man Admits Helping Defraud Victims On Social Media $450K Scheme: CT Man Admits Helping Defraud Victims On Social Media
$450K Scheme: CT Man Admits Helping Defraud Victims On Social Media A Connecticut man faces more than 20 years in prison after admitting to taking part in a scheme to defraud numerous victims by befriending them on social media.  New London County resident Dexter Enwerem, age 36, of Norwich, pleaded guilty to taking part in a scheme to defraud women through social media on Tuesday, May 23, according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut.  According to federal officials, between September 2019 and March 2021, a co-conspirator of Enwerem would contact multiple victims, who were mostly women, through their Facebook and Inst…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Ex-Employee From Connecticut Charged For $575K Corporate Fraud Scheme, Feds Say Ex-Employee From Connecticut Charged For $575K Corporate Fraud Scheme, Feds Say
Ex-Employee From Connecticut Charged For $575K Corporate Fraud Scheme, Feds Say A Connecticut man has been charged in an alleged scheme to defraud his former employer out of more than $575,000. Hartford County resident Ariel Legassa, age 49, of the town of Burlington, was arrested and charged with mail fraud, according to a report from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts on Wednesday, Feb. 2. Legassa made his first appearance in federal court on Wednesday, the report said.  Legassa is accused of orchestrating a scheme to defraud New England Sports Network from December 2020 to January 2022. He allegedly negotiated a le…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Lori Loughlin, Designer Husband Sentenced For College Admissions Scam Lori Loughlin, Designer Husband Sentenced For College Admissions Scam
Lori Loughlin, Designer Husband Sentenced For College Admissions Scam Long Island native Lori Loughlin and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, will spend time behind bars for paying bribes in the so-called "Operation Varsity Blues" college admissions scandal. Loughlin, the former “Full House” star, was sentenced to two months in prison on Friday, Aug. 21, while her husband was sentenced to five months for their roles in conspiring to pay a half-million-dollar bribe to get the couple’s two daughters into the University of Southern California. The two had been engaged in a legal battle over the "Operation Varsity Blues" college admissions scam for…

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by Zak Failla
News
Stamford Man Sentenced For $2M Investment Scheme Stamford Man Sentenced For $2M Investment Scheme
Stamford Man Sentenced For $2M Investment Scheme The former CEO of a Fairfield County business has been sentenced to nearly a decade in prison after being convicted of defrauding investors of more than $2 million, including several women he met on an online dating website. Stamford resident Thomas Connerton, the founder, president, and CEO of Safety Technologies, LLC, which operated out of Westport, Stamford, Madison, and Simsbury, was found guilty in federal court for his role in a $2 million investment scheme. On Thursday, Dec. 19, Connerton was sentenced to 108 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for hi…

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by Zak Failla
News
Woman Sentenced To Prison For Credit Card Fraud Scheme In Fairfield County Woman Sentenced To Prison For Credit Card Fraud Scheme In Fairfield County
Woman Sentenced To Prison For Credit Card Fraud Scheme In Fairfield County A Fairfield County woman has been sentenced after admitting to using the dark web to steal her victim’s identities and credit card information through an elaborate scheme. Latrice Colvin, 32, of Bridgeport, has been sentenced to 30 days in prison, followed by seven months of home confinement and two years of supervised release after she pleaded guilty in district court in New Haven to one count of mail fraud related to a credit card fraud scheme earlier this year. Between September 2015 and July 2017, Colvin used the Internet, including the dark web, to obtain the personal identifying infor…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Actress Felicity Huffman Sentenced For Admissions Scandal Actress Felicity Huffman Sentenced For Admissions Scandal
Actress Felicity Huffman Sentenced For Admissions Scandal Westchester native Felicity Huffman will spend time behind bars for her role in the nation’s largest college admissions scandal. The 56-year-old former “Desperate Housewives” star, who grew up in Bedford, was sentenced on Friday, Sept. 13 to 14 days in jail, a $30,000 fine, one year of supervised release and 250 hours of community service. Huffman pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. She will turn herself in on Friday, Oct. 25 to begin her stint in jail. "There are no excuses or justifications for my actions. Period," Huffman said in a s…

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by Zak Failla
News
Father, Son Sentenced For Making Fraudulent Titanium Sales To CT Defense Subcontractor Father, Son Sentenced For Making Fraudulent Titanium Sales To CT Defense Subcontractor
Father, Son Sentenced For Making Fraudulent Titanium Sales To CT Defense Subcontractor A father and son team have been sentenced after admitting to fraudulently selling titanium to a Connecticut defense subcontractor in Bridgeport federal court. John J. Palie, Jr., 64, of Tiverton, Rhode Island was sentenced to 10 months in prison and two years of supervised release, and his son, John J. Palie III, 43, of Plymouth, Massachusetts was sentenced to six months in prison followed by two years of supervised release. Palie Jr. must also pay a $10,000 fine. The two pleaded guilty in June last year to two counts of mail fraud. John Palie, Jr. is the owner and CEO of A&P Alloys, I…

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by Zak Failla
News
Bridgeport Woman Admits To Credit Card Fraud Scheme Bridgeport Woman Admits To Credit Card Fraud Scheme
Bridgeport Woman Admits To Credit Card Fraud Scheme A Fairfield County woman has admitted to using the dark web to steal her victim’s identities and credit card information through an elaborate scheme. Latrice Colvin, 32, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty in district court in New Haven to one count of mail fraud related to a credit card fraud scheme. Between September 2015 and July 2017, Colvin used the Internet, including the dark web, to obtain the personal identifying information of several victims. She then contacted the credit card companies, used that information and changed the mailing addresses on certain accounts to her own. When the …

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by Zak Failla
News
Felicity Huffman Could Get Prison Time After College Scam Guilty Plea Felicity Huffman Could Get Prison Time After College Scam Guilty Plea
Felicity Huffman Could Get Prison Time After College Scam Guilty Plea Westchester native Felicity Huffman could face prison time after officially pleading guilty in Boston federal court on Monday, May 13 for her role in the nation’s largest college admissions scandal. Prosecutors recommended a four-month prison term for the actress, provided she doesn’t appeal. The 56-year-old former “Desperate Housewives” star,  who grew up in Bedford, had been released on a $250,000 bond. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. In addition to possible prison time, Huffman is facing a year of supervised release and a f…

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by Zak Failla
News
Ex-Attorney Sentenced For Bilking $169K From Her Clients Ex-Attorney Sentenced For Bilking $169K From Her Clients
Ex-Attorney Sentenced For Bilking $169K From Her Clients In an investigation assisted by Greenwich Police, a former lawyer in Connecticut will spend nearly four years behind bars after admitting to her role in bilking clients out of more than $169,000 through several schemes. Bristol resident Jodi Zils Gagne, 43, was sentenced on Tuesday, April 23, to 46 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of mail fraud late last year. Zils Gagne, an attorney, acted as a court-appointed conservator for several of her victims in Connecticut. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that as a conservator, Zils Ga…

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by Zak Failla
News
Naugatuck Man Admits Operating Phony Coupon Scheme Naugatuck Man Admits Operating Phony Coupon Scheme
Naugatuck Man Admits Operating Phony Coupon Scheme An area man will face up to 20 years behind bars for operating a phony coupon scheme to defraud his victims of nearly $200,000. Naugatuck resident Thomas Papcin, 48, pleaded guilty in New Haven federal court this week to one count of mail fraud stemming from his role in a fraudulent coupon scheme. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that "in order for a coupon producer to obtain holographic coupon paper, the producer is required to provide to the coupon paper vendor the name of the company for whom the producer is producing coupons, as well as a point of contact for the company for whom the prod…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Law Firm Places Prominent Greenwich Attorney On Leave Amid College Bribery Scheme Charges Law Firm Places Prominent Greenwich Attorney On Leave Amid College Bribery Scheme Charges
Law Firm Places Prominent Greenwich Attorney On Leave Amid College Bribery Scheme Charges Update:  The Manhattan-based law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP issued a statement announcing that "co-chair Gordon Caplan has been placed on leave and will have no further firm management responsibilities," the firm announced Wednesday, March 13 one day after Caplan was charged criminally in a national scheme to rig the admissions system for the country’s most elite schools. Original report: A prominent area attorney is among the dozens of high-profile coaches, celebrities and wealthy parents embroiled in a college admissions bribery scheme. Greenwich resident Gordon Cap…

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by Zak Failla
News
Bedford Native Felicity Huffman Out On Bail After College Cheating Arrest Bedford Native Felicity Huffman Out On Bail After College Cheating Arrest
Bedford Native Felicity Huffman Out On Bail After College Cheating Arrest Northern Westchester native Felicity Huffman has been released on a $250,000 bond a day after she reportedly woke up to something out of a scene of a movie. Huffman, 56, who grew up in Bedford, was among dozens of prominent celebrities, wealthy parents and coaches to be implicated in “Operation Varsity Blues,” an alleged college admissions bribery scam. According to reports, the former "Desperate Housewives star was woken up at her Hollywood Hills home at approximately 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 12 when armed FBI agents ordered her to surrender. She later appeared in court with 10 other suspects…

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by Zak Failla
News
Ex-Mayor In CT Sentenced For Stealing Nearly $1M From Employer, Brother Ex-Mayor In CT Sentenced For Stealing Nearly $1M From Employer, Brother
Ex-Mayor In CT Sentenced For Stealing Nearly $1M From Employer, Brother A former mayor in Connecticut is trading city hall for a prison cell after stealing from his employer, then attempting to double down by stealing from his brother to cover up his thievery. Stephon Gionfriddo, 68, the former mayor of Middletown, has been sentenced to 46 months in prison after admitting to embezzling more than $500,000 from his former employer and proceeding to steal approximately $400,000 from his brother to pay that back. He will also serve three years of supervised release. Gionfriddo was hired as a paralegal by a law firm in Rocky Hill in August 2013. Beginning in De…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
$63 Check Stolen From Post Office Mailbox, Altered Cashed For $1.7K, Darien Police Say $63 Check Stolen From Post Office Mailbox, Altered Cashed For $1.7K, Darien Police Say
$63 Check Stolen From Post Office Mailbox, Altered Cashed For $1.7K, Darien Police Say A Darien man had a check stolen from the post office mailbox, altered and deposited by an unknown party, police say. The complainant stated that he dropped off an outgoing check to the U.S. Post Office at 30 Corbin Drive on Saturday, Jan. 13. The check was written for $63.69. Monday, Feb. 4, the complainant stated that the check had been altered and deposited in the amount of $1,730 by an individual not known to the victim, according to police. Those who have any information regarding this crime are urged to contact Darien Police.

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by Valerie Musson
News
Attorney Admits Attempting To Embezzle From Dead Man's Estate Attorney Admits Attempting To Embezzle From Dead Man's Estate
Attorney Admits Attempting To Embezzle From Dead Man's Estate A prominent Westchester attorney known for representing prominent Republican politicians has admitted to embezzling from the estate of a dead man. Rye resident Guy Parisi, 71, pleaded guilty on Thursday in White Plains federal court to one count of mail fraud for stealing from the estate of a former Mount Vernon resident. Parisi was appointed the administrator of the estate in April 2017, where he was tasked with collecting the assets of the estate. As an administrator, Parisi had a fiduciary duty to the estate and to the decedent’s son, who was the sole beneficiary of his father’s will. A…

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by Zak Failla
News
Man Sentenced For Multimillion Dollar Stranger-Originated Life Insurance Scheme Man Sentenced For Multimillion Dollar Stranger-Originated Life Insurance Scheme
Man Sentenced For Multimillion Dollar Stranger-Originated Life Insurance Scheme A Connecticut man is headed to prison after being found guilty of defrauding insurance companies into taking on policies on the lives of elderly people for his own financial benefits. Daniel Carpenter, of Simsbury, was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 30 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release after he was found guilty of 57 counts of conspiracy, mail and wire fraud.  He was also found guilty of money laundering and illegal monetary transaction offenses stemming from the scheme, also known as a stranger-oriented life insurance scheme. Carpenter, 64. contr…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Investigation Into Possible Theft Underway After Mailbox At Greenwich Post Office Found Damaged Investigation Into Possible Theft Underway After Mailbox At Greenwich Post Office Found Damaged
Investigation Into Possible Theft Underway After Mailbox At Greenwich Post Office Found Damaged Postal officials are investigating after the blue drop-off mailbox at the Old Greenwich Post Office was found damaged on Thursday. Police, who said the Postal Service is handling the investigation, do not know at this time if any mail was stolen. Residents and businesses who may have used the box at this location should follow-up with the recipients of their mail to confirm that it has been delivered.  Further steps should be taken to protect any sensitive information contained in out-going mail and monitor banks accounts, officials said.  For more information on repor…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Ex-Fairfield County CEO Man Guilty Of Defrauding More Than $2M From Investors Ex-Fairfield County CEO Man Guilty Of Defrauding More Than $2M From Investors
Ex-Fairfield County CEO Man Guilty Of Defrauding More Than $2M From Investors The former CEO of a Fairfield County business has been found guilty of defrauding investors of more than $2 million, including several women he met on an online dating website. Stamford resident Thomas Connerton, the founder, president and CEO of Safety Technologies, LLC, which operated out of Westport, Stamford, Madison and Simsbury, has been found guilty in federal court for his role in the investment scheme. John Durham, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, said that Safety Technologies was founded in 2006, with the purpose of developing and commercializing what wa…

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by Zak Failla
News
Father, Son Admit To Fraudulent Titanium Sales To CT Defense Subcontractor Father, Son Admit To Fraudulent Titanium Sales To CT Defense Subcontractor
Father, Son Admit To Fraudulent Titanium Sales To CT Defense Subcontractor A father and son pleaded guilty in federal court to trying to sell fake titanium to a Connecticut subcontractor for use in aircraft including U.S. Air Force fighter jets. John J. Palie Jr., 62 ,of Tiverton, R.I., and John J. Palie III, 42, of Plymouth, Mass., waived their right to be indicted and pleaded guilty on June 27 before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to fraud stemming from their having sold titanium to a Connecticut defense subcontractor, according to John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. The U.S. government contends that the…

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by Jon Craig
News
Fairfield County Woman, 40, Sentenced To Prison For Two Fraud Schemes Fairfield County Woman, 40, Sentenced To Prison For Two Fraud Schemes
Fairfield County Woman, 40, Sentenced To Prison For Two Fraud Schemes A 40-year-old Stratford woman has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison after her conviction in two fraud schemes, according to the U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney in Connecticut. U.S. Attorney John H. Durham announced on Tuesday that Rachael Alexander, also known as Rachael Vierling, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven.  Judge Arterton ordered Alexander to pay restitution totaling nearly $443,808. Alexander, who is released on bond, was ordered to report to prison on April 18. Her imprisonment will be followed by three years of…

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by Jon Craig