Tag:

Fraud

NY Rep. D’Esposito Denies Scathing Report He Gave Mistress, Fiancée’s Daughter Jobs NY Rep. D’Esposito Denies Scathing Report He Gave Mistress, Fiancée’s Daughter Jobs
NY Rep. D’Esposito Denies Scathing Report He Gave Mistress, Fiancée’s Daughter Jobs New York Rep. Anthony D’Esposito is vowing to stay in his congressional race following a scathing New York Times report alleging he gave his mistress and his fiancée’s daughter jobs in his district office. The Long Island Republican, age 42, hired the pair shortly after being elected to his 4th District seat in 2023 and paid them nearly $30,000 in taxpayer funds in a violation of House ethics rules, the outlet reports. New York’s 4th congressional district covers central and southern Nassau County, including Elmont, Hempstead, and Valley Stream. Asked whether the New York Times report was …
Ex-NY Attorney Who Stole $800K From Clients Gets Prison Time Ex-NY Attorney Who Stole $800K From Clients Gets Prison Time
Ex-NY Attorney Who Stole $800K From Clients Gets Prison Time A former New York attorney is heading to prison after confessing that he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from his clients. Former Long Island resident Douglas Valente, age 57, now of Florida, was sentenced to between one and four years in prison in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, Aug. 22. Prosecutors said Valente, the former principal attorney at the Valente Law Group in Stony Brook, stole more than $800,000 from three former clients by taking money from his escrow account. Earlier Report: Former NY Attorney Stole Nearly $1M From Clients, DA Says Among the victims was a cl…
Friar In Westchester-Based Province Accepted Donations For Fake Medical Clinics: Fed Friar In Westchester-Based Province Accepted Donations For Fake Medical Clinics: Fed
Friar In Westchester-Based Province Accepted Donations For Fake Medical Clinics: Fed A Franciscan friar in a Westchester County-based province is accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in fake donations for fake medical clinics he claimed to run in another country, federal officials announced.  New York City resident Pawel Bielecki, a 48-year-old friar with the White Plains-based Province of St. Mary of the Capuchin Order, was arrested on wire and mail fraud charges, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Monday, Aug. 19.  According to federal officials, Bielecki, also known as "Paul Bielecki,…
Ousted NY Rep. George Santos  Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case Ousted NY Rep. George Santos  Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case
Ousted NY Rep. George Santos Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case Former Republican Congressman George Santos admitted to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a federal court on Monday, Aug. 19, authorities announced.  The 36-year-old former inhabitant of New York's 3rd Congressional District seat on Long Island was facing 23 felonies, and a trial set to begin next month.  A federal judge will sentence Santos on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York said. According to federal sentencing guidelines, aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year minimum sentence.&n…
Alert Issued In Hudson Valley For Parking Ticket Scam: What To Watch For Alert Issued In Hudson Valley For Parking Ticket Scam: What To Watch For
Alert Issued In Hudson Valley For Parking Ticket Scam: What To Watch For A Hudson Valley elected official is warning residents to be wary of fake texts asking them to pay unpaid parking tickets.  In a post on X on Monday, July 1, New York Assemblyman Matt Slater, who represents parts of Putnam and Northern Westchester, warned residents of a fake text scheme involving scammers claiming that victims owe unpaid parking invoices in New York City.  According to Slater, the texts will claim that victims will owe an additional charge of $25 unless they settle their balance. They will also contain a link where victims can settle their "balance."  "Don't …
Scammers Posing As Law Enforcement, Sending Fake Letters To Victims In Hudson Valley Scammers Posing As Law Enforcement, Sending Fake Letters To Victims In Hudson Valley
Scammers Posing As Law Enforcement, Sending Fake Letters To Victims In Hudson Valley Authorities in the region are warning residents of a scheme involving scammers posing as law enforcement and sending victims fake letters to convince them they are in trouble with the law.  The scam, detailed in an announcement from the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office on Friday, June 28, involves suspects contacting victims and posing as law enforcement before telling them they are wanted for a crime.  The Sheriff's Office added that the scammer will then tell the victim they need to pay cash to satisfy the warrant or charges.  To further convince victims that the request i…
$185M Scheme: NY Trio Nabbed For Defrauding 1,400 Investors, Feds Say $185M Scheme: NY Trio Nabbed For Defrauding 1,400 Investors, Feds Say
$185M Scheme: NY Trio Nabbed For Defrauding 1,400 Investors, Feds Say Three New York men have been charged in connection with a $185 million fraud scheme involving over a thousand investors, federal authorities announced. The three are Long Island resident Mario Gogliormella, age 47, of Manhasset; and New York City residents Steven Lacaj, age 27, of Manhattan, and Karim Ibrahim, age 34, of Queens, also known as “Chris Hayes." “By allegedly raising approximately $185 million from over 1,400 investors, Mario Gogliormella, Steven Lacaj, and Karim Ibrahim left a trail of shattered trust and financial ruin," US Attorney for the Southern Distric…
NY Resident Loses $341K In 'Pig Butchering' Scheme: Here's What It Is NY Resident Loses $341K In 'Pig Butchering' Scheme: Here's What It Is
NY Resident Loses $341K In 'Pig Butchering' Scheme: Here's What It Is The US Secret Service has seized a web domain used in a cryptocurrency confidence crime scheme known as “pig butchering” after a New York resident was swindled out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. According to federal authorities, scammers in pig butchering schemes encounter victims in various ways, including on dating applications, social media websites, and even random text messages masquerading as the wrong number. Scammers initiate relationships with victims and slowly gain their trust, eventually introducing the idea of making a business investment using cryptocurrency.  Vict…
Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme: Pair Of Former Execs At White Plains Company Sentenced Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme: Pair Of Former Execs At White Plains Company Sentenced
Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme: Pair Of Former Execs At White Plains Company Sentenced Two former high-ranking executives have been sentenced for stealing millions of dollars from their employer in Westchester County through a fraudulent scheme involving sham companies and fake invoices. The two worked at OrthoNet, a healthcare claims processing company based in White Plains. Shawn Rains, age 57, of Le Bouscat, France, who was previously convicted of mail fraud conspiracy, mail fraud, and money laundering conspiracy after a two-week trial, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Northern Westchester resident Joseph Maharaj, age 42, of Goldens Bridge, had pl…
Scammers Posing As NYSP Troopers, Agency Warns Scammers Posing As NYSP Troopers, Agency Warns
Scammers Posing As Nysp Troopers, Agency Warns New York State Police are sounding the alarm over scammers posing as troopers in order to con victims out of their money. In an alert issued Tuesday, April 9, the agency said fraudsters employ a variety of tactics to con their victims, including demanding payment for a missed court date, jury duty, or other legal matter. The phony cops have also been known to claim there is a warrant for the victim’s arrest and threaten to apprehend them unless a fine is paid. In some cases, scammers have directed the victim to buy a prepaid money transfer card and give them the card number. “They might s…
Avoid Scams: These Are Top 10 Consumer Frauds Of 2023, NY AG Says Avoid Scams: These Are Top 10 Consumer Frauds Of 2023, NY AG Says
Avoid Scams: These Are Top 10 Consumer Frauds Of 2023, NY AG Says To honor National Consumer Protection Week, New York Attorney General Letitia James has revealed the most common fraud complaints faced by residents during 2023.  In an announcement on Monday, March 4, James said that these common complaints ranged from price gouging of much-needed goods and services to housing issues, online banking fraud, and even travel-related issues.  The top ten most common consumer complaints of 2023 in New York were:  Retail Sales: (Online purchases, price gouging, retail sales, defective merchandise, poor customer service, pet stores, animal breede…
Not Laughing: George Santos Sues Jimmy Kimmel For 'Deceiving' Him Into Making Cameo Videos Not Laughing: George Santos Sues Jimmy Kimmel For 'Deceiving' Him Into Making Cameo Videos
Not Laughing: George Santos Sues Jimmy Kimmel For 'Deceiving' Him Into Making Cameo Videos Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos is taking his beef with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to federal court. In a lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York on Friday, Feb. 16, the ex-Republican lawmaker accused Kimmel of copyright infringement and fraud for a series of personalized videos the talk show host commissioned from him on the website Cameo. The 35-year-old Santos began selling video shout outs on the site following his historic ouster from Congress amid federal criminal charges. Earlier Report: US House Expels Nassau Rep. George Santos In Historic Vote K…
29-Year-Old From Connecticut Focus Of Netflix Documentary On His Mom's Mysterious Death On Boat 29-Year-Old From Connecticut Focus Of Netflix Documentary On His Mom's Mysterious Death On Boat
29-Year-Old From Connecticut Focus Of Netflix Documentary On His Mom's Mysterious Death On Boat A 29-year-old from Connecticut who was accused of killing his mother and grandfather is the focus of a new Netflix documentary on the mysterious deaths.  Netflix said earlier this month the documentary will explore the mysteries surrounding Middlesex County native Nathan Carman, of Middletown, who was accused of killing his mother Linda Carman while on a fishing trip in 2016, and his grandfather, John Chakalos. three years earlier in 2013. Carman, who died while in police custody last year, allegedly killed his mother while fishing off the coast of Rhode Island on the family boat.…
Man's Brother Pretended To Be NY Mobster As Part Of $4M Embezzlement Scheme Man's Brother Pretended To Be NY Mobster As Part Of $4M Embezzlement Scheme
Man's Brother Pretended To Be NY Mobster As Part Of $4M Embezzlement Scheme Henry Hill immortalized the line "as far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster."  That mantra didn't work out well for a pair of brothers - one of whom pretended to be a New York mobster - to get a Maryland man to embezzle more than $4 million from his employer in Washington, DC.  New York native Corry Blue Evans, 31, has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for his role in an elaborate fraud, extortion, and money laundering scheme that involved several other close-knit co-conspirators who worked to exploit the multi-million dollar scheme. The sentence comes y…
Ethics Chair Asks House To Expel Santos After Finding 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking Ethics Chair Asks House To Expel Santos After Finding 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking
Ethics Chair Asks House To Expel Santos After Finding 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking The third time may be the charm for federal lawmakers hoping to oust embattled New York Rep. George Santos from office. House Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest, a Republican from Mississippi, filed a resolution to expel Santos from Congress on Friday morning, Nov. 17. Members are expected to vote on the resolution the week after Thanksgiving.  Earlier Report: LI Rep Santos Won't Run For Re-Election: 'Substantial Evidence' Of Lawbreaking, Committee Says The rare move came just one day after the committee, made up of five Republicans and five Democrats, released a report sayi…
George Santos Pleads Not Guilty To 10 New Federal Charges; Here's When He'll Stand Trial George Santos Pleads Not Guilty To 10 New Federal Charges; Here's When He'll Stand Trial
George Santos Pleads Not Guilty To 10 New Federal Charges; Here's When He'll Stand Trial Beleaguered New York Rep. George Santos was back in a federal courtroom to formally answer to a host of new fraud charges. The Republican lawmaker, whose 3rd District on Long Island includes parts of Nassau County and Queens, pleaded not guilty to 10 new counts in US District Court in Central Islip on Friday, Oct. 27. Judge Joanna Seybert set a trial date for Thursday, Sept. 9, 2024. Earlier Report: George Santos Stole Thousands From Donors, Inflated Fundraising Totals, New Indictment Alleges In their 23-count superseding indictment, which includes allegations of wire fraud and ident…
Woman Victimized By Scammer Posing As Family Member Over Phone In Westchester Woman Victimized By Scammer Posing As Family Member Over Phone In Westchester
Woman Victimized By Scammer Posing As Family Member Over Phone In Westchester Residents are being warned to be cautious after a woman in New York was contacted by a scammer who posed as her family member in an effort to solicit money from her.  The Westchester County incident happened to a member of the Port Chester Senior Community Center on Wednesday, Oct. 11, when she was victimized by a "grandparent scam," according to an announcement from the center shared by the Port Chester Police Department. According to the community center, the woman received a call from someone who sounded like her grandchild, who said that they were in trouble and needed money …
Immigration Assistance Provider Posed As Attorney, Intimidated Customer In Yonkers: AG Immigration Assistance Provider Posed As Attorney, Intimidated Customer In Yonkers: AG
Immigration Assistance Provider Posed As Attorney, Intimidated Customer In Yonkers: AG A fraudulent immigrant assistance service provider based in Westchester has agreed to pay restitution to several victims whom she misled and even threatened in some cases, officials said.  Jacquelin Mercado, an immigrant assistance service provider based in Yonkers, has entered into an agreement with the Office of the New York Attorney General after she was found to be posing as an attorney and illegally offering legal advice to customers, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Wednesday, Aug. 23.  According to the Attorney General's Office, Mercado's role …
SanToast? Retired NYPD Detective Challenging NY Rep. George Santos To 'Return Integrity' SanToast? Retired NYPD Detective Challenging NY Rep. George Santos To 'Return Integrity'
SanToast? Retired Nypd Detective Challenging NY Rep. George Santos To 'Return Integrity' A familiar face with an impressive resume is taking on embattled Congressman George Santos, whose admitted lying streak and alleged criminal misconduct has left an indelible mark on New York -- and national -- politics. Republican Michael Sapraicone, a retired New York City Police Department detective and US Navy veteran, announced his campaign for the state’s 3rd Congressional District seat on Tuesday, July 25. The district, which the 35-year-old Santos won by seven points in 2022, represents parts of Nassau County and Queens. Related Report: Embattled Nassau Rep. George Santos 'Pr…
$43K Stolen By Treasurer Of Hudson Valley Lacrosse Club, State Police Say $43K Stolen By Treasurer Of Hudson Valley Lacrosse Club, State Police Say
$43K Stolen By Treasurer Of Hudson Valley Lacrosse Club, State Police Say A Hudson Valley man who volunteered as a treasurer for a youth lacrosse development club has been charged with stealing more than $43,000 from the organization which is now closed. Dutchess County resident Robert R. Dichiara, age 65, of LaGrange, was arrested on Monday, June 26 by New York State Police. According to Trooper AJ Hicks, an investigation into the missing funds was initiated after the department received a complaint of missing monies from the Arlington Lacrosse Developmental Club. The investigation, conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation determined that Dichiara stol…
Former Treasurer In Hudson Valley Nabbed For Stealing Funds, Police Say Former Treasurer In Hudson Valley Nabbed For Stealing Funds, Police Say
Former Treasurer In Hudson Valley Nabbed For Stealing Funds, Police Say A former treasurer in the Hudson Valley is being accused of stealing funds. On Monday morning, June 19, New York State Police in Ulster County announced that Burton Gulnick Jr, age 51, from the city of Kingston was arrested on Friday, June 16. Gulnick was the treasurer for both the Town of Hurley Recreation Association and the Friends of Mike Hein Political Committee. Hein is a former county executive in Ulster County. State Police said investigators received allegations regarding Gulnick stealing funds from the Hurley Recreation Association and the Committee to Re-Elect Mik…
COVID-19 $14.7M Scheme: Westchester Duo Tried Stealing From Relief Program, Feds Say COVID-19 $14.7M Scheme: Westchester Duo Tried Stealing From Relief Program, Feds Say
Covid-19 $14.7M Scheme: Westchester Duo Tried Stealing From Relief Program, Feds Say Two men from Westchester and a Long Island woman face charges after participating in a more than $14 million scheme to steal from a program created to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, federal officials said.  New Rochelle resident Glenroy Walker, age 65, Mount Vernon resident Gary Wheeler, age 46, Freeport resident Sherril Baez, age 50, and three others are charged with scheming to steal more than $14 million from the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Tuesday, June 6.  The …
Bogus Businessman Charged With $65K Fraud In Hudson Valley Bogus Businessman Charged With $65K Fraud In Hudson Valley
Bogus Businessman Charged With $65K Fraud In Hudson Valley A nearly year-long investigation revealed that a 28-year-old opened a phony business account to steal $65,000, officials in the Hudson Valley say.  In Orange County, 28-year-old Reginald Williams, of Newburgh, was indicted and charged for allegedly stealing $65,000 from a real company on Wednesday, May 3, according to Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler. Williams was arrested and arraigned in the Town of Warwick Justice Court on Wednesday, April 19, after a year-long, multi-agency investigation revealed that Williams, working by himself and with others, opened a …
$31M Trip-Fall Fraud Scheme: Attorneys, Doctor Sentenced For Defrauding NY Businesses $31M Trip-Fall Fraud Scheme: Attorneys, Doctor Sentenced For Defrauding NY Businesses
$31M Trip-Fall Fraud Scheme: Attorneys, Doctor Sentenced For Defrauding NY Businesses Sentences have been handed out for two attorneys and a doctor convicted of defrauding New York businesses and their insurance companies of more than $31 million through a massive, three-year trip-and-fall fraud scheme. The three men all live on Long Island -- 60-year-old George Constantine in Plainview, 50-year-old Marc Elefant in Woodmere, and 67-year-old Andrew Dowd in Miller Place. Constantine and Dowd were convicted at a trial in mid-December 2022 of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud. Dowd was also found guilty of additional counts of conspiracy to co…
Welfare Fraud: 3 Women From Region Charged With Theft Of Funds Welfare Fraud: 3 Women From Region Charged With Theft Of Funds
Welfare Fraud: 3 Women From Region Charged With Theft Of Funds Three women from the region have been charged with allegedly stealing government funds following an investigation by the Sullivan County Welfare Fraud Task Force. Those charged are: Lisa Keitt, age 26, of Liberty, was arrested and charged on Sunday, March 19, and charged with theft of services and offering a false instrument. It is alleged that Keitt stole services totaling $505.74 in Medicaid transportation benefits. On Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, and on eight other dates, Keitt obtained a medical transportation ride by deception to two separate medical facilities to which s…
NY Rep. George Santos Confesses To Defrauding Brazilian Clerk Of $1,300 In Clothing: Report NY Rep. George Santos Confesses To Defrauding Brazilian Clerk Of $1,300 In Clothing: Report
NY Rep. George Santos Confesses To Defrauding Brazilian Clerk Of $1,300 In Clothing: Report Embattled New York Rep. George Santos has formally confessed to defrauding a Brazilian shop clerk of $1,300 in clothing and shoes, CNN reports.  The admission is part of an agreement requested by Santos’ attorney in January 2022 and accepted by Brazilian prosecutors that ensures he won’t be prosecuted for the crime, according to the outlet. Related Report: 'I've Been A Terrible Liar,' George Santos Admits After He 'Got Away With It' In 2020 It states that the freshman Republican lawmaker, whose 3rd District represents parts of Nassau County and Queens, agrees to confess to the fraud and p…
‘No Fortune For Fraud’: NY Reps Introduce Legislation Targeting George Santos ‘No Fortune For Fraud’: NY Reps Introduce Legislation Targeting George Santos
‘No Fortune For Fraud’: NY Reps Introduce Legislation Targeting George Santos Several freshman members of Congress are targeting embattled New York Rep. George Santos, a member of their own party, hoping to ensure that he can’t turn a profit should he be convicted of a crime. Speaking at a press conference outside the US Capitol on Tuesday, March 7, Republican New York Rep. Anthony D’Esposito - whose 4th District includes parts of Nassau County - announced that he was sponsoring legislation meant to bar current and former House members from profiting off their story should they violate election laws and other federal statutes. The proposals, dubbed the “No Fame fo…
Accused NY Fraudster Agrees To Forfeit $248M He Allegedly Racked Up From Thousands Of Investors Accused NY Fraudster Agrees To Forfeit $248M He Allegedly Racked Up From Thousands Of Investors
Accused NY Fraudster Agrees To Forfeit $248M He Allegedly Racked Up From Thousands Of Investors A New York man admitted to committing fraud and has agreed to forfeit to the US government hundreds of millions of dollars he's accused of racking up from tens of thousands of investors until his arrest less than a year ago. Long Island resident Eddy Alexandre, age 50, of Valley Stream, the leader of a purported cryptocurrency and foreign exchange trading platform called EminiFX, solicited more than $248 million after making false representations in connection with the EminiFX trading platform, the Southern District of New York, announced on Friday, Feb. 10. According to the allegations in …
Westchester Man, Partner Sentenced For Roles In $1M Ponzi Scheme Westchester Man, Partner Sentenced For Roles In $1M Ponzi Scheme
Westchester Man, Partner Sentenced For Roles In $1M Ponzi Scheme A Westchester County man and his business partner have been sentenced for their roles in a nearly decade-long $1-million Ponzi scheme. White Plains resident James Doyle, age 74, and Carl Carro, age 61, of Walton, Delaware, were convicted of defrauding investors in New York and throughout the nation. On Thursday, Jan. 12, Carro was sentenced to four to eight years in prison, and Doyle was sentenced to five years probation, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced. As part of their respective sentences, Carro and Doyle agreed to pay a total of more than $1 million in judgments …
NYU Finance Director Embezzled $3.5M To Fund Her Lavish Lifestyle, DA Says NYU Finance Director Embezzled $3.5M To Fund Her Lavish Lifestyle, DA Says
NYU Finance Director Embezzled $3.5M To Fund Her Lavish Lifestyle, DA Says A former director at New York University is being accused of embezzling millions in state funding and using much of the money to fund a lavish lifestyle at her home in Connecticut home, according to authorities. The six-year fraud by Fairfield County resident Cindy Tappe, age 57, of Westport, related to two NYU programs, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced this week. Tappe used her position as the director of finance and administration for NYU’s Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and Transformation of Schools to diver…
$31M Trip-Fall Fraud Scheme Results In Convictions For NY Attorney, Doctor $31M Trip-Fall Fraud Scheme Results In Convictions For NY Attorney, Doctor
$31M Trip-Fall Fraud Scheme Results In Convictions For NY Attorney, Doctor An attorney and doctor have been convicted of defrauding New York businesses and their insurance companies of more than $31 million through a massive trip-and-fall fraud scheme. Following a three-week trial, a jury in Manhattan just convicted George Constantine, a lawyer, and Andrew Dowd, an orthopedic surgeon, for their participation in the scheme from 2013 and 2018.  Both men live on Long Island -- the 60-year-old Constantine in Plainview, and the 67-year-old Dowd in Miller Place. The two were both found guilty of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, and w…