35°
Anthony Congello, Jr. was charged with one count of grand larceny in the second degree, a Class C felony, two counts of identity theft in the first degree, Class D felonies, two counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, Class D felonies and one count of criminal tax fraud in the fourth degree, a Class E felony.
Congello is the nephew of the owner of Croton Country Gardens, a garden supply store. Congello was helping his uncle keep an eye on the finances for the store and, in return, his uncle allowed the defendant to keep equipment from Congello's own landscaping business at the store, according to the District Attorney's Office.
From August 2012 through January 2014, Congello was accused of stealing from Croton Country Gardens according to the District Attorney's Office.
He was accused of initiating an automated bank draft from the store’s account to pay a loan and of cashing checks from the store’s account with his uncle’s forged signature on them, according to the District Attorney's Office.
He also was accused of making counter cash withdrawals using withdrawal slips with his uncle’s forged signature on them; making unauthorized ATM withdraws using the store’s credit card at various Atlantic City casinos; and charging large sums onto the store’s credit card to benefit his own business, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Congello was accused of stealing approximately $140,658, according to the District Attorney's Office and also of failed to file his New York State income taxes in 2012.
He was arrested by the Croton police and his next court date will be on Wednesday, May 7. He faces a maximum of 15 years in state prison if convicted.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Cortlandt and receive free news updates.
