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Money Laundering

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…
CT Congressman Votes Against Expelling Rep. George Santos: 'I'm Not F'ing Around' CT Congressman Votes Against Expelling Rep. George Santos: 'I'm Not F'ing Around'
CT Congressman Votes Against Expelling Rep. George 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 CT Bank, Police Say Woman Tried Depositing Stolen Check Worth Nearly $600K At CT Bank, Police Say
Woman Tried Depositing Stolen Check Worth Nearly $600K At CT 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…
NY Man Plotted To Assassinate Journalist For Criticizing Iranian Government, Feds Say NY Man Plotted To Assassinate Journalist For Criticizing Iranian Government, Feds Say
NY 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…
Woman From Gets Prison Sentence Much Shorter Than Her Husband: Feds Woman From Gets Prison Sentence Much Shorter Than Her Husband: Feds
Woman From Gets Prison Sentence Much Shorter Than Her Husband: Feds A judge sentenced a 32-year-old Springfield woman to more than seven years in jail after she pleaded guilty to taking part in a drug smuggling ring that moved crack, heroin, and cocaine from Massachusetts into Vermont, authorities said. Her husband got 19 years for taking part in the operation in 2019.  Nia Dinzey, aka Nia Moore-Bush, pleaded guilty over the summer to several drugs, money laundering, and firearms charges, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Investigators said Nia Dinzey and her husband, Dinelson Dinzey, would drive the drugs from Springfield to Barre, Ve…
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 NY College Sex-Cult Leader Admits To Conspiracy ‘Trusted Lieutenant’ Of NY College Sex-Cult Leader Admits To Conspiracy
‘Trusted Lieutenant’ Of NY 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…
CT Man Sentenced For Role In $5M Lottery, Romance Fraud Schemes CT Man Sentenced For Role In $5M Lottery, Romance Fraud Schemes
CT 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…
Man From Region Admits To Embezzling Over $360K From Non-Profit Man From Region Admits To Embezzling Over $360K From Non-Profit
Man From Region Admits To Embezzling Over $360K From Non-Profit A Northborough man is facing up to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to embezzling over $360,000 from a non-profit organization in Sturbridge, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  Kyriakos "Rick" Kapiris, age 36, worked at the non-profit as an IT manager from April 2015 to May 2020. During his time there, Kapiris had access to two of the company's credit cards to pay for equipment and certain services, the office reports. However, Kapiris created three vendor accounts to embezzle funds and fabricate sales invoices starting in 2016, the office reports. Kapiris the…
Father, Son From Region Sentenced For  Trafficking Cocaine, Heroin Father, Son From Region Sentenced For  Trafficking Cocaine, Heroin
Father, Son From Region Sentenced For Trafficking Cocaine, Heroin It'll be a family affair for a father-son duo from Western Massachusetts who will spend more than a decade in prison for operating a multi-state drug trafficking ring that ran from Mexico to both coasts. Federal prosecutors announced that Hampden County residents Isaac Cardona, age 34, and Rafael Cardona, Sr., age 61, both of Springfield, have been sentenced to 12 years in prison for their roles in a large-scale drug trafficking operation. The sentence comes after the two were convicted by a federal jury in October 2021 of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute mo…
CT Resident Sentenced For Defrauding Investors, Ordered To Pay $1.5M CT Resident Sentenced For Defrauding Investors, Ordered To Pay $1.5M
CT Resident Sentenced For Defrauding Investors, Ordered To Pay $1.5M 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…
Man From Region Admits To Money Laundering Scheme Man From Region Admits To Money Laundering Scheme
Man From Region Admits To Money Laundering Scheme A man from Western Massachusetts has admitted to his involvement in a scheme to launder more than $1 million in proceeds from phone scams. Hampden County resident Utkarsh Thakur, age 29, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy on Monday, April 25, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. The US Attorney's Office reported that Thakur's co-conspirators called victims between January and August 2021 and pretended to be in positions of authority, such as law enforcement. They would reportedly threaten the victims and in…
Man From Region Admits To Drug, Firearms, Money Laundering, Fraud Charges Man From Region Admits To Drug, Firearms, Money Laundering, Fraud Charges
Man From Region Admits To Drug, Firearms, Money Laundering, Fraud Charges A Massachusetts man pleaded guilty to charges related to cocaine trafficking, firearms, money laundering, and tax return fraud. According to an announcement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, William Hoey, age 41, of Worcester, pleaded guilty on Monday, March 7, to the following charges: Three counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine Two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine One count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing a firearm in furtherance…
Woman From Region Indicted For Reselling Stolen Goods, Money Laundering Woman From Region Indicted For Reselling Stolen Goods, Money Laundering
Woman From Region Indicted For Reselling Stolen Goods, Money Laundering A Western Massachusetts pawn shop owner was indicted on accusations of money laundering and reselling stolen goods on eBay. Mimi Mai, age 48, of Springfield, was indicted on Tuesday, Feb. 22, on one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods, four counts of money laundering and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. Mai was arrested on Tuesday, the report said.  Mai owned and operated the EZ Exchange pawn shop in Holy…
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…
Duo From Region Convicted In Large-Scale Heroin, Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy Duo From Region Convicted In Large-Scale Heroin, Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy
Duo From Region Convicted In Large-Scale Heroin, Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy Two Western Massachusetts men have been convicted by a federal jury for their roles in a large-scale drug trafficking organization supplied by sources in Mexico and spanning at least four states. According to the US Attorney's Office, Isaac Cardona, age 34, and Rafael Cardona Sr., age 61, both of Springfield, were convicted on Monday, Oct. 18, following a nine-day trial of conspiracy to distribute to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and one kilogram of heroin.  Isaac Cardona was also convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering.  The Cardona'…