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Restitution

Danbury Business Owner Sent to Prison For Evading Taxes On $1.5M In Earnings: Feds Danbury Business Owner Sent to Prison For Evading Taxes On $1.5M In Earnings: Feds
Danbury Business Owner Sent to Prison For Evading Taxes On $1.5M In Earnings: Feds A Connecticut business owner will spend seven months behind bars after he admitted to cheating the federal government out of the income tax on nearly $1.5 million in earnings, authorities said.  Bill G. Makros, 58, of Danbury in Fairfield County, pleaded guilty to tax evasion during the summer and was sentenced on Tuesday, Nov. 12, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. Along with his prison term, he must also pay the federal government $137,672 in restitution.   Makros, who owned Budget Tree and Stump Removal Service, LLC in Danbury, asked customers to write checks for the co…
Woman Who Pocketed $1.4M In Unpaid Business Taxes Gets 19 Months In Prison: Feds Woman Who Pocketed $1.4M In Unpaid Business Taxes Gets 19 Months In Prison: Feds
Woman Who Pocketed $1.4M In Unpaid Business Taxes Gets 19 Months In Prison: Feds A Connecticut businesswoman who admitted to withholding more than $1 million in payroll taxes to spend on her mortgage, home repairs, and casino trips will spend more than a year and a half behind bars, authorities announced.  Michelle Ann Gilson, 38, of Guilford in New Haven County, was sentenced this week to 19 months in prison followed by three years of probation, and she must pay the IRS more than $1.4 million in restitution, the US Attorney for Connecticut said.  Gilson co-owned and co-operated B&M Package Solutions, Inc. and formerly owned and operated Epic Empirez,…
'Cherry-Picking' Fraud: Greenwich Wealth Manager Sentenced For Stealing $2.7M From 45 Clients 'Cherry-Picking' Fraud: Greenwich Wealth Manager Sentenced For Stealing $2.7M From 45 Clients
'Cherry-Picking' Fraud: Greenwich Wealth Manager Sentenced For Stealing $2.7M From 45 Clients A Connecticut investment advisor was sentenced for defrauding clients of $2.7 million through a “cherry-picking” securities scheme.Fairfield County resident Jonathan Vincent Glenn, age 55, of Greenwich, will serve 21 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentencing was announced in Hartford on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Glenn also must serve the first six months of his supervised release in home confinement. “Cherry-picking” is a fraudulent securities trading practice in which a responsible individual executes trades without assigning them to a particular trading ac…
New Canaan Counselor Ripped Off Medicaid For $80K, Officials Say New Canaan Counselor Ripped Off Medicaid For $80K, Officials Say
New Canaan Counselor Ripped Off Medicaid For $80K, Officials Say A Fairfield County counselor with a business in Stamford defrauded Medicaid by billing thousands in fraudulent claims for services he did not provide. According to state judicial officials, Andrew R. Golden, age 56, of New Canaan, was sentenced to three years in prison, which was suspended, and five years of conditional discharge.  The judge ordered Golden to pay $80,328.19 in restitution and to not act as a Medicaid provider or provide services to any Medicaid recipient. Golden has paid the restitution, said officials with the state Division of Criminal Justice,  The division sa…
$1.5M Con: Ex-Employee Admits Defrauding CT Insurance Company $1.5M Con: Ex-Employee Admits Defrauding CT Insurance Company
$1.5M Con: Ex-Employee Admits Defrauding CT Insurance Company A former employee from Pennsylvania admitted to defrauding a Connecticut insurance company to the tune of $1.5 million. James Keating, age 52, of Paoli, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in New Haven federal court on Tuesday, July 30. Prosecutors said Keating – who served as assistant vice president and a surety bond claims handler at Hartford County-based Allied World Insurance Company in Farmington – created a shell company to bill Allied World for unnecessary claims work that was never performed. Between 2017 and 2021, he also solicited and received kickbacks from Allied World…
Greenwich Attorney Possessed Child Porn Depicting Sexual Abuse Of Infants: Here's His Sentence Greenwich Attorney Possessed Child Porn Depicting Sexual Abuse Of Infants: Here's His Sentence
Greenwich Attorney Possessed Child Porn Depicting Sexual Abuse Of Infants: Here's His Sentence A 37-year-old attorney from Connecticut will spend years in prison for accessing and possessing child pornography on the dark web, including images depicting the sexual abuse of infants.  Fairfield County resident Christopher Bates, Jr. of Greenwich was sentenced on Tuesday, May 28 to 24 months in prison for possessing images and videos of the sexual abuse of children, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced. According to federal officials, Bates, an attorney licensed to practice in Connecticut and New York, was arrested after an international law i…
Over $800K Scheme: Stamford Man Gets Prison Time For Stealing From Family Trust Over $800K Scheme: Stamford Man Gets Prison Time For Stealing From Family Trust
Over $800K Scheme: Stamford Man Gets Prison Time For Stealing From Family Trust A 69-year-old Connecticut man will spend time in prison for stealing over $800,000 from his relatives' family trust that he administered, officials announced.  Fairfield County resident Curtis Solsvig of Stamford was sentenced on Tuesday, March 5 to 18 months in prison for his wire fraud scheme, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced. According to federal officials, in 1996, Solsvig began serving as a trustee of a married couple's trust intended to benefit their two children. Beginning in 2011, Solsvig, a relative of the victims, began stealing around $…
Over $955K Scheme: Former CT Office Manager Gets Years In Prison For Embezzlement Over $955K Scheme: Former CT Office Manager Gets Years In Prison For Embezzlement
Over $955K Scheme: Former CT Office Manager Gets Years In Prison For Embezzlement A 53-year-old former office manager from Connecticut will spend years in prison for embezzling nearly $956,000 from the family-owned construction business she worked for, officials announced. New Haven County resident Erin Sullivan of Cheshire, age 53, was sentenced on Wednesday, Feb. 21 to 24 months in prison for her embezzlement scheme and tax fraud, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced. According to federal officials, Sullivan was employed as the office manager for the Orange-based construction business she worked for. Beginning at least as early as 2016, Su…
Man Who Ripped Off Medicaid While Employed With Greenwich Police Avoids Jail Man Who Ripped Off Medicaid While Employed With Greenwich Police Avoids Jail
Man Who Ripped Off Medicaid While Employed With Greenwich Police Avoids Jail A Fairfield County man who was working as a police officer has avoided jail for Medicaid fraud but must repay monies stolen. Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin Friday, said on Friday, Jan. 5 that  Michael Mastronardi, age 49, of Shelton, was sentenced to a three-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to one count of cruelty to persons. In addition, he was ordered to pay $57,278.24 in restitution to the Department of Social Services to reimburse the Medicaid program. An investigation by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit determined that between August 2014 and April 2019, Ma…
Oxycodone Scheme Sentence: CT Man Headed To Jail Oxycodone Scheme Sentence: CT Man Headed To Jail
Oxycodone Scheme Sentence: CT Man Headed To Jail A 46-year-old Connecticut man who admitted to running an oxycodone scheme that used stolen prescription pads will spend the next year behind bars, officials said.  Hartford County resident Jayson Kemp, of East Windsor, was sentenced on Tuesday, May 9, to a year and a day in prison and three years of probation in the case, the US Attorney for Connecticut said.  Kemp admitted to using stolen prescription pad pages from multiple medical providers to get oxycodone, the prosecutor said. He would also sell sheets of the books for thousands of dollars each.  Investigators said Kemp…
COVID-19: Former CT State Representative Admits Stealing $1.2M Relief Funds COVID-19: Former CT State Representative Admits Stealing $1.2M Relief Funds
Covid-19: Former CT State Representative Admits Stealing $1.2M Relief Funds A former Connecticut state representative has admitted to stealing more than $1.2 million in COVID relief funds. New Haven County resident Michael DiMassa, age 31, of West Haven, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Nov. 1 to charges stemming from his involvement in schemes that resulted in the theft of more than $1.2 million dollars in COVID relief funds and other funds from the City of West Haven, said Vanessa Roberts Avery, US Attorney for the District of Connecticut. According to court documents and statements made in court, DiMassa was a Connecticut state representative who was also em…
Man Sentenced For $12M Ponzi Scheme That Included Victim From Fairfield County Man Sentenced For $12M Ponzi Scheme That Included Victim From Fairfield County
Man Sentenced For $12M Ponzi Scheme That Included Victim From Fairfield County A New York man was sentenced for his role in a $12 million Ponzi scheme that targeted nearly 50 victims from throughout the region and the nation between 2015 and 2017. Long Island resident Matthew Eckstein, age 52, of Syosset, was sentenced on Monday, July 11 to three-and-a-half to 10-and-a-half years in prison. Eckstein originally pleaded guilty to the charges on September 26, 2019, but later withdrew his plea. A new indictment was secured in August 2020, but court closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic further delayed the case. “This defendant preyed upon seniors and hard-working men…
Former Fairfield County Resident Sentenced For Fraud, Identity Theft Offenses Former Fairfield County Resident Sentenced For Fraud, Identity Theft Offenses
Former Fairfield County Resident Sentenced For Fraud, Identity Theft Offenses A former Fairfield County resident has been sentenced to 65 months in prison for fraud and identity theft offenses related to a scheme leasing and purchasing vehicles and motorcycles. Domingo St. Hilaire Rosario, age 57, formerly of Danbury, was sentenced on Wednesday, Oct. 20 in Hartford, said Leonard C Boyle, Acting US Attorney for the District of Connecticut. According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in late 2017, Rosario, Jamie Pinto, and another individual conspired to use stolen identities to obtain vehicles and motorcycles at dealerships in Connecticut…
Nationally Known Fairfield County Restaurant Owner Sentenced For Tax Crime Nationally Known Fairfield County Restaurant Owner Sentenced For Tax Crime
Nationally Known Fairfield County Restaurant Owner Sentenced For Tax Crime A nationally known celebrity chef known as “Lord of the Pies” who owns restaurants in Westchester and Fairfield counties will spend time behind bars after admitting to not paying taxes. Bruno DiFabio, age 51, of Ridgefield, was sentenced on Thursday, May 6 to 30 days in prison, followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to a federal tax offense in 2018. Specifically, DiFabio pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to file false income tax returns and payroll tax returns.  Currently, DiFabio has ownership interests in several pizza restaurants in Connecticut …
Bookkeeper In Fairfield County Sentenced For $418K Embezzlement Scheme Bookkeeper In Fairfield County Sentenced For $418K Embezzlement Scheme
Bookkeeper In Fairfield County Sentenced For $418K Embezzlement Scheme A bookkeeper in Fairfield County has been sentenced to prison for fraud and tax offenses stemming from an embezzlement scheme. Penni Sherman, also known as Penni Parker, 53, of Norwalk, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to eight months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release on Friday, Aug. 14.  Shea ordered Sherman to spend the first two months of supervised release in home confinement. According to court documents and statements made in court, Sherman operated PSP Accounting & Bookkeeping, and provided bookkeeping services to ar…
Former Employee Admits To Making 40 Charges In NY/CT With Credit Cards Stolen From Customers Former Employee Admits To Making 40 Charges In NY/CT With Credit Cards Stolen From Customers
Former Employee Admits To Making 40 Charges In NY/CT With Credit Cards Stolen From Customers A convicted felon with a rap sheet dating back to the 1980s will spend more time behind bars after admitting to credit card fraud, identity theft and a host of other charges. Steven Finkler, 55, of New Haven, pleaded guilty in Bridgeport district court to one count of access device fraud, one count of wire fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that in August 2017, Finkler stole credit cards from two of his employer’s customers and used the cards to make more than 40 fraudulent charges in Connecticut and New York. The charges included Finkler…
Former HR Officer From Greenwich Admits To $417K Performance Scam Former HR Officer From Greenwich Admits To $417K Performance Scam
Former HR Officer From Greenwich Admits To $417K Performance Scam A woman who worked as a human resources officer at FujiFilm in Westchester admitted to stealing more than $400,000 from the company. Fairfield County resident Maria Mecca, 39, of Greenwich, pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny in Westchester County Court, District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr., announced. She remains free on bail and was ordered to pay restitution to FujiFilm, which is based out of Valhalla. Mecca is due back in court on March 18 next year for sentencing. She is expected to receive a term of between one and four years in prison. According to Scarpino, in her pos…
Woman Who Embezzled More Than $130K From Fairfield County Company Sentenced Woman Who Embezzled More Than $130K From Fairfield County Company Sentenced
Woman Who Embezzled More Than $130K From Fairfield County Company Sentenced A former accounting manager at a Fairfield County company will spend time behind bars after admitting to embezzling more than $130,000 from her employer. Susanna Kurus was sentenced in Hartford district court to 30 days in prison, followed by 60 days of home confinement after pleading guilty to wire fraud in March. In addition to her prison time and home confinement, Kurus will serve two years of supervised release and was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. She must also pay $133,870,55 in restitution to her former employer. Kurus 43, who now lives in Garner, North Carolina…
Attorney Sentenced For Defrauding Elderly Clients Out Of Millions Attorney Sentenced For Defrauding Elderly Clients Out Of Millions
Attorney Sentenced For Defrauding Elderly Clients Out Of Millions A partner at a Connecticut law firm will spend time behind bars for cooking up a multi-million dollar scheme to steal from his elderly clients. Robert Barry, 78, of Woodbury, a former partner in the law firm of Sturges and Mathes in Southbury, was sentenced to 21 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to wire fraud in September last year. Barry was also ordered to spend the first six months of his supervised release in home confinement when he was sentenced in Hartford district court this week. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that Sturges and M…
Third Person Admits To Role In Email Scheme Targeting CFOs, Controllers Third Person Admits To Role In Email Scheme Targeting CFOs, Controllers
Third Person Admits To Role In Email Scheme Targeting CFOs, Controllers A third man has admitted to his role in a scheme to defraud business leaders out of hundreds of thousands of dollars through an email scam. Stanley Hugochukwu Nwoke - also known as “Stanley Banks,” “Banks,” “Hugo Banks,” “Banky,” and “Jose Calderon” - a citizen of Nigeria, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in district court in New Haven this week, U.S. Attorney John Durham announced. Nwoke, 28, admitted to conspiring with Adeyemi Odufuye and others in a business compromise scheme that targeted hundreds of CFOs, controllers, and others at businesses, nonprofit or…
Ex-Doctor From Darien Sentenced For Health Care Fraud, Money Laundering Ex-Doctor From Darien Sentenced For Health Care Fraud, Money Laundering
Ex-Doctor From Darien Sentenced For Health Care Fraud, Money Laundering A former Fairfield County doctor will spend nearly a decade in prison after admitting to billing  Medicaid for nearly $5 million, and hiding the money in a Swiss bank account before attempting to flee the country. Darien resident Ramil Mansourov, who owned and operated Family Urgent Health Care in Norwalk, has been sentenced to 87 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to health care fraud and money laundering offenses. Mansourov, 49, purchased Immediate Health Care from Bharat Patel in 2012, renaming it Family Urgent Health Care, and allo…
Top Lawyer For CT Senate Republicans Fired Over Missing Money Top Lawyer For CT Senate Republicans Fired Over Missing Money
Top Lawyer For CT Senate Republicans Fired Over Missing Money The top lawyer for the state Senate Republicans was fired on Monday, Dec. 3 after campaign money was discovered missing from one of the GOP's political action committees. Senate Republican leader Len Fasano told Capitol reporters that he fired Chief Counsel Michael Cronin after the lawyer admitted misappropriating tens of thousands of dollars from a Senate GOP caucus PAC that Cronin oversaw as treasurer this year. Cronin reported the theft to Chief State’s Attorney Kevin Kane, whose office opened a criminal investigation. Cronin, a legislative lawyer for nearly two decades, also served as …
Woman Who Embezzled $326K From Fairfield County Business Sentenced Woman Who Embezzled $326K From Fairfield County Business Sentenced
Woman Who Embezzled $326K From Fairfield County Business Sentenced A former Fairfield County resident is heading to federal prison after admitting to embezzling more than $325,000 from her employer in Connecticut. Miriam Dubay, a former Shelton resident, has been sentenced to 33 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty in district court to one count of wire fraud related to her embezzlement of approximately $326,000 while working as a bookkeeper for a Fairfield County company. John Durham, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that current Purcellville, Virginia, resident Mi…
Ex-Fairfield County Attorney Sentenced For Stealing Nearly $2M From Clients, Family, Friends Ex-Fairfield County Attorney Sentenced For Stealing Nearly $2M From Clients, Family, Friends
Ex-Fairfield County Attorney Sentenced For Stealing Nearly $2M From Clients, Family, Friends A 62-year-old former attorney in Fairfield County is going to spend more than six years behind bars for stealing nearly $2 million from clients, friends and family members. Thomas Murtha who previously had a law office in Bridgeport has been sentenced to 78 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud. He must also pay $1,994,467.15 in restitution. Beginning in November 2011, through April 2017, Murtha stole the money from 20 individuals, including approximately $516,000 from a person with mental health issues. As pa…
Area Attorney Admits Defrauding Elderly Clients Area Attorney Admits Defrauding Elderly Clients
Area Attorney Admits Defrauding Elderly Clients A partner at a Connecticut law firm has admitted to stealing more than two million dollars from an elderly client he represented. Woodbury resident Robert Barry waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court to one count of wire fraud for his role in a scheme to defraud elderly client trust accounts over the course of more than seven years. Barry, 77, was a partner in the law firm of Sturges and Mathes in Southbury, which specializes in trust and estates work.  Barry’s role at the firm included drafting trust agreements for clients, designating himself as succ…
Fairfield County Attorney Sentenced For Sexually Exploiting Boy, Ordered To Pay $215K Fairfield County Attorney Sentenced For Sexually Exploiting Boy, Ordered To Pay $215K
Fairfield County Attorney Sentenced For Sexually Exploiting Boy, Ordered To Pay $215K A former lawyer in the area is heading to prison for sexually exploiting a boy. Shelton resident Peter Kruzynski has been sentenced to 156 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to one count of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. He must also pay his victim $215,000 in restitution. Kruzynski, 51, used his cell phone to text a 12-year-old boy to engage in sexual activity. He sent text messages to the minor, telling him to come to his home, where Kruzynski then had sexual contact with his victim.  In December 2014, when his victim …
Stamford Woman Admits To Embezzlement Scheme Stamford Woman Admits To Embezzlement Scheme
Stamford Woman Admits To Embezzlement Scheme A Stamford woman has agreed to pay more than a million dollars in restitution to her former employer after pleading guilty to a scheme that lasted more than four years where she embezzled more than $800,000 to PayPal and Venmo accounts. Candace Rispoli, 31, has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, stemming back to an embezzlement scheme that began in January 2012, John Durham, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced. Beginning in January 2012, and lasting through June 2016, Rispoli was an employee at Lodestone Management Consultants, which later became k…
'Career Criminal' Sentenced, Ordered To Pay $5M For Greenwich Burglaries 'Career Criminal' Sentenced, Ordered To Pay $5M For Greenwich Burglaries
'Career Criminal' Sentenced, Ordered To Pay $5M For Greenwich Burglaries A 57-year-old “career criminal” is heading to prison and must pay nearly $5 million in restitution after pleading guilty to a string of burglaries and a home invasion in Greenwich. New York City resident Jerome Shaw has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to several charges following a joint investigation by the Greenwich Police Department and FBI into a near five-year crime spree that concluded in 2015. Shaw, of the Inwood neighborhood in Manhattan, pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges that include conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen prope…
Fairfield County Man Must Pay $500K For Income Tax Offense Fairfield County Man Must Pay $500K For Income Tax Offense
Fairfield County Man Must Pay $500K For Income Tax Offense A Norwalk bookkeeper has been sentenced to probation and must pay back nearly a half million dollars after pleading guilty to tax fraud - largely as a result of gambling - in district court. John Durham, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced the sentencing of Eddie Chan, 58, who will be subject to five years probation and must pay approximately $500,000 in restitution for his former employer following a guilty plea for filing false tax returns last year. Chan was employed at a private art firm in Manhattan, according to court records, and between 2013 and 2015…
Norwalk Landscaper Sentenced For Filing False Tax Return Owes IRS $150K Norwalk Landscaper Sentenced For Filing False Tax Return Owes IRS $150K
Norwalk Landscaper Sentenced For Filing False Tax Return Owes IRS $150K A former landscaper based out of Norwalk is heading to prison and owes more than $150,000 to the IRS after being busted for filing false tax returns and underreporting employee wages for several years. John Durham, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that Norwalk resident Candido “Candide” Valadares, 57, has been sentenced to two months in prison, followed by a year of supervised release after underreporting hundreds of thousands of dollars involving a pair of Fairfield County businesses he ran. Valadares pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax rep…