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Bank Fraud

COVID-19: Restaurateur From Region Admits To $163K Pandemic Relief Fraud COVID-19: Restaurateur From Region Admits To $163K Pandemic Relief Fraud
Covid-19: Restaurateur From Region Admits To $163K Pandemic Relief Fraud A former restaurant owner in the region raked in six figures by defrauding a relief program meant to help businesses impacted by COVID-19. Scott Solomon, age 37, of Albany, pleaded guilty to two counts of bank fraud in Albany federal court on Monday, Dec. 11. According to prosecutors, he admitted to applying for and obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans in 2020 for two Saratoga Springs restaurants that he formerly operated. PPP loans were issued by financial institutions in 2020 and 2021 and guaranteed by the US Small Business Administration. Funds were meant to help businesses…
New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns
New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns As New Yorkers across the state report being contacted by scammers impersonating their banks, officials are cautioning consumers to keep their eyes peeled. In a statement on Friday, Oct. 27, NY Attorney General Letitia James provided tips to avoid getting scammed by callers pretending to be bank or government officials. “Scammers claiming to be a trusted bank, or any institution relied on for financial services, can seriously harm New Yorkers by taking their money and their personal information,” she said. James said the Office of the Attorney General has been receiving calls from New Y…
COVID-19 $558K Scam: Former Nightclub Owners In Region Admit Defrauding Relief Programs COVID-19 $558K Scam: Former Nightclub Owners In Region Admit Defrauding Relief Programs
Covid-19 $558K Scam: Former Nightclub Owners In Region Admit Defrauding Relief Programs A husband and wife duo from the region accused of raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars by defrauding COVID-19 relief programs through their former nightclub business has pleaded guilty. Saratoga County residents Deborah Budhraj, age 52, and Adesh Budhraj, age 53, both of Ballston Lake, pleaded guilty to bank fraud and wire fraud charges in federal court in Albany on Wednesday, July 19. The couple formerly owned the Tropics Restaurant & Bar, located in Schenectady on South Brandywine Avenue. According to prosecutors, they agreed to sell the business to another couple in February 2…
Multimillion-Dollar Scheme: Woman From Region Nabbed For Money Laundering, Bank Fraud, Feds Say Multimillion-Dollar Scheme: Woman From Region Nabbed For Money Laundering, Bank Fraud, Feds Say
Multimillion-Dollar Scheme: Woman From Region Nabbed For Money Laundering, Bank Fraud, Feds Say A 49-year-old woman from the region has been charged with conspiring to commit money laundering and bank fraud, stealing more than $10 million from victims. Sullivan County resident Tetiana Berriors, of the hamlet of Smallwood, was arrested on Thursday, June 8, said Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. According to court documents, Berriors conspired to commit money laundering and bank fraud in connection with laundering the proceeds of a series of business email compromise scams that sought to deceive victims into sending nearly $10 million to bank accoun…
Check Fraud: Nearly $5,000 Stolen From Victim's Bank Account By Area Man, Police Say Check Fraud: Nearly $5,000 Stolen From Victim's Bank Account By Area Man, Police Say
Check Fraud: Nearly $5,000 Stolen From Victim's Bank Account By Area Man, Police Say A 24-year-old man is facing charges after allegedly stealing nearly $5,000 from a victim’s bank account using fraudulent checks. Zyaire Sheppard, of Schenectady, was arrested Friday, April 28, following an investigation by New York State Police, the agency said. The victim first contacted troopers in December 2022 reporting that multiple fraudulent checks had been written from their bank account. Investigators determined that Sheppard conspired to deposit two fraudulent checks worth over $4,800 into a bank account belonging to someone else, police said. Sheppard was arrested on the follow…
$40M Fraud: Fairfield County Business Owner Admits To Scam, Could 30 Years In Prison, SDNY Says $40M Fraud: Fairfield County Business Owner Admits To Scam, Could 30 Years In Prison, SDNY Says
$40M Fraud: Fairfield County Business Owner Admits To Scam, Could 30 Years In Prison, Sdny Says A "brazen" insurance company owner from Fairfield County admitted to $40 million of insurance fraud that paid for expenses relating to boating, luxury cars, and golf, officials say.  In a New York federal court, Anthony Riccardi, of New Canaan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud on Tuesday, Feb. 21, according to the office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.  Riccardi, the 50-percent co-owner and executive vice president of Employee Benefit Solutions LLC, a Connecticut insurance firm, was …
$65M Ponzi Scheme: Former NY Hedge Fund Manager Admits To Lending Fraud $65M Ponzi Scheme: Former NY Hedge Fund Manager Admits To Lending Fraud
$65M Ponzi Scheme: Former NY Hedge Fund Manager Admits To Lending Fraud A former bond trader and hedge fund manager in New York could spend decades in federal prison for defrauding his friends and lending institutions out of over $65 million. Nassau County resident Jeffrey Parket, age 59, of Great Neck, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bank fraud in federal court in Manhattan on Wednesday, Feb. 15. According to the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District, Parket swindled his victims out of millions of dollars between 2016 and December 2021 by lying about his financial condition and pledging fake collateral in order to obtain short-term loans. He claime…
Former NY Legislator, Ex-Girlfriend Both Convicted Of Defrauding Business Of $250K Former NY Legislator, Ex-Girlfriend Both Convicted Of Defrauding Business Of $250K
Former NY Legislator, Ex-Girlfriend Both Convicted Of Defrauding Business Of $250K A former county legislator in New York and an accomplice from Connecticut have been convicted by a jury of scamming a business out of more than a quarter of a million dollars. George Guldi, who served as a Long Island legislator representing the South Fork of Suffolk County, and Litchfield County resident Victoria Davidson, of Lakeville, Connecticut, defrauded Ditech Financial LLC, a mortgage lender, Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced. “George Guldi, while in prison, concocted and conducted a scheme along with his co-consp…
Ex-Director Of NY Charity Sentenced For Embezzling Over $1M Ex-Director Of NY Charity Sentenced For Embezzling Over $1M
Ex-Director Of NY Charity Sentenced For Embezzling Over $1M The former executive director of a New York charity is heading to federal prison after being convicted of embezzling more than $1 million to fund a life of luxury. Long Island resident Wafa Abboud, age 55, of Merrick, was sentenced to nearly three years behind bars in federal court in Brooklyn on Wednesday, Jan. 11.  It followed her convictions on charges of embezzling funds, bank fraud, and money laundering after a two-week jury trial in July 2019. Earlier Report: Ex-Director Convicted Of Stealing Nearly $1M From Long Island Charity Prosecutors said Abboud ran Human First, a no…
Police In Hudson Valley Help Catch Suspects Of Nationwide 'Felony Lane Gang' Fraud Scheme Police In Hudson Valley Help Catch Suspects Of Nationwide 'Felony Lane Gang' Fraud Scheme
Police In Hudson Valley Help Catch Suspects Of Nationwide 'Felony Lane Gang' Fraud Scheme Two suspects who admitted to being part of a nationwide fraud scheme were caught with the help of police in the Hudson Valley.  The two men, Joshua Mallory, age 37, and Gary Grier, age 36, both of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Dec. 20 to being part of the multi-state "Felony Lane Gang," a fraud scheme involving suspects breaking into cars and stealing debit cards and checkbooks, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York.  Between 2015 and 2020, Mallory, Grier, and several co-conspirators traveled across the country breaking …
Father-Son Owners Of Car Dealership In Area Sentenced For Fraud Father-Son Owners Of Car Dealership In Area Sentenced For Fraud
Father-Son Owners Of Car Dealership In Area Sentenced For Fraud A father and son who own a Hudson Valley car dealership are heading to federal prison for their role in a multimillion-dollar tax and bank fraud scheme. Orange County residents Mehdi and Saaed Moslem, owners of the Exclusive Motor Sports dealership in Central Valley, were sentenced to eight years and three years in prison, respectively, in federal court in White Plains Monday, Oct. 17. Earlier Report: Father/Son Owners Of Area Auto Dealership Charged With Tax, Bank Fraud The pair was previously found guilty of defrauding their lenders and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) following …
Woman Accused Of Embezzling $4M From NY Company Serving Clients In Entertainment Industry Woman Accused Of Embezzling $4M From NY Company Serving Clients In Entertainment Industry
Woman Accused Of Embezzling $4M From NY Company Serving Clients In Entertainment Industry A woman has been accused of embezzling $4 million from her New York employer and its clients to pay for, among other things, her wedding, travel, and making payments to a cosmetic surgeon. Long Island resident Carmen Miranda, age 50, of Massapequa, was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft, in connection with her scheme to embezzle over $4 million from her employer and its clients in Manhattan. Miranda, who is also known as “Millie Miranda,” was an account manager at a small business management firm that primarily serviced clients in the entertainment indus…
Area Man Accused Of Using Dead Person's Checks In Fraud Scheme Area Man Accused Of Using Dead Person's Checks In Fraud Scheme
Area Man Accused Of Using Dead Person's Checks In Fraud Scheme A 36-year-old man was arrested and accused of defrauding a bank out of more than $4,000. Ulster County resident Thomas Mann, of Clintondale, was arrested on Wednesday, April 6, and charged with eight counts of second-degree forgery, one count of third-degree grand larceny, and eight counts of second-degree possession of a forged instrument, according to New York State Police. State Police in Ellenville received a report on Thursday, March 10, of fraud involving a checking account of a person who died, police said.  Investigators found that Mann began using the deceased individual's ch…
CFO Sentenced For $33M Healthcare Scheme Involving Hudson Valley Company CFO Sentenced For $33M Healthcare Scheme Involving Hudson Valley Company
CFO Sentenced For $33M Healthcare Scheme Involving Hudson Valley Company A 50-year-old woman will spend more than five years in prison and surrender millions of dollars after being sentenced for a “widespread” $33 million healthcare fraud scheme involving a Westchester auto dealership, federal officials announced. Connecticut resident Erin Verespy, of Trumbull in Fairfield County, was sentenced to 66 months in prison for her role in a $33 million scheme to misappropriate client healthcare funds and defraud multiple lenders through her role as the Chief Financial Officer of Employee Benefit Solutions (EBS), an insurance firm in Wilton. Earlier story - Four From …
Dutchess County Doctor Charged For Seven-Year Fraud Scheme, Feds Say Dutchess County Doctor Charged For Seven-Year Fraud Scheme, Feds Say
Dutchess County Doctor Charged For Seven-Year Fraud Scheme, Feds Say An eye doctor from Westchester who had practices throughout the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County who was previously charged with healthcare fraud has been sentenced for attempting to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic through loan fraud. Westchester resident Ameet Goyal, age 58, of Rye, who operated The Eye Associates Group, with practices in Rye, Mount Kisco, Wappingers Falls in Dutchess County, and Greenwich, has been sentenced to 96 months in prison for orchestrating a seven-year fraud scheme and for obtaining government loans intended for small businesses during the pandemic. In addition t…
Thief Who Swiped 94,000 Credit Card Numbers At Michaels Stores In NY, NJ, CT, PA Sentenced Thief Who Swiped 94,000 Credit Card Numbers At Michaels Stores In NY, NJ, CT, PA Sentenced
Thief Who Swiped 94,000 Credit Card Numbers At Michaels Stores In NY, NJ, CT, PA Sentenced A member of an ID theft ring that stole more than $600,000 from customers at Michaels stores in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison on Thursday. Jose “Tito” Salazar, age 45, of Riverside, CA was part of a crew that replaced card-reading terminals at the arts and crafts retailer with wireless imitations that they used to capture customers' bank account numbers and PINs, Acting US Attorney for New Jersey Rachael A. Honig said. They then created copycat cards that were then used to withdraw more than $500,000 from hun…
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Man Admits To Stealing $4M In Relief Funds COVID-19: Hudson Valley Man Admits To Stealing $4M In Relief Funds
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Man Admits To Stealing $4M In Relief Funds A Hudson Valley man has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit bank and wire fraud and admitted to obtaining more than $4 million meant for businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ulster County resident Jean Lavanture, age 48, of Saugerties, also known as JR, and "Rudy" Lavanture, is the third person to plead guilty in this case, according to the US Attorney's Office. In pleading guilty, Lavanture admitted to conspiring with another person to obtain $4,309,581 in Paycheck Protection Program loans between June and August 2020, by submitting fraudulent loan applications in the nam…
Woman Wanted For Cashing Fraudulent Checks Worth $4.5K At Dutchess Banks Woman Wanted For Cashing Fraudulent Checks Worth $4.5K At Dutchess Banks
Woman Wanted For Cashing Fraudulent Checks Worth $4.5K At Dutchess Banks New York State Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a woman who crashed multiple fraudulent checks at a pair of local banks and is known to frequent different areas around the Hudson Valley. State Police investigators in Wappinger issued an alert for 29-year-old Ophelia Atkins, who is wanted on multiple charges that include grand larceny and criminal possession of a forged instrument following a fraudulent check scam she ran in the area. Atkins, is wanted by State Police and the Town of Wappinger Court following a grand larceny investigation in which Atkins is alleged to h…
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Stealing Nearly $5M From Pandemic Relief Fund COVID-19: Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Stealing Nearly $5M From Pandemic Relief Fund
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Stealing Nearly $5M From Pandemic Relief Fund A man from the Hudson Valley allegedly took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to live a lavish lifestyle by allegedly illegally obtaining nearly $5 million in loans meant for struggling businesses. Ulster County resident Jean Lavanture, of Saugerties, also known as Rudy Lavanture, was arrested this week on a bank fraud complaint that alleges he obtained millions in government-backed loans that were earmarked for businesses struggling during the pandemic. Lavanture was arrested on Thursday, Sept. 17 at a new 8.54-acre estate that he allegedly purchased with the illegally obtained funds. It…
Feds, Local Agencies Nab Nine For Massive NY/CT/MA Bank Fraud, ID Theft Scheme Feds, Local Agencies Nab Nine For Massive NY/CT/MA Bank Fraud, ID Theft Scheme
Feds, Local Agencies Nab Nine For Massive NY/CT/MA Bank Fraud, ID Theft Scheme A multi-agency, multi-state FBI investigation into larcenies from vehicles and identity thefts targeting women along the East Coast led to the arrests of nearly a dozen co-conspirators involved in the elaborate operation. Nine men have been charged in a 13-count indictment for their roles in the “Felony Lane Gang” scheme that included wide-ranging bank fraud and identity theft schemes that affected hundreds of victims. Prosecutors allege that the nine suspects were involved together in a fraud scheme known as “Felony Lane Gang.” Investigators from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Ulste…
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Doctor Accused Of Illegally Getting Loans COVID-19: Hudson Valley Doctor Accused Of Illegally Getting Loans
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Doctor Accused Of Illegally Getting Loans An eye doctor from Westchester who had practices throughout the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County who was previously charged with healthcare fraud is facing new charges for allegedly attempting to exploit the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Ameet Goyal, 57, of Rye, who operates The Eye Associates Group, with practices in Rye, Mount Kisco, Wappingers Falls, and Greenwich, was arrested and charged by federal officials for allegedly fraudulently billing patients last year. Earlier story - Area Doctor Billed Patients $8M For Surgeries He Didn't Do, Feds Say According to U.S. Attorne…
Former Bank Director From Area Charged In $1.4 Million Fraud Former Bank Director From Area Charged In $1.4 Million Fraud
Former Bank Director From Area Charged In $1.4 Million Fraud An attorney and former Park Avenue Bank director from the Hudson Valley has been accused of a $1.4 million bank fraud along with a co-conspirator. Rockland resident Mendel Zilberberg, 61, of Monsey, was charged this week with Aron Fried, 46, a Toms River, New Jersey, resident with bank fraud and other charges after allegedly scheming to obtain a $1.4 million loan from the bank. United States Attorney Geoffrey Berman said Zilberberg and Fried used false statements and misrepresentations to receive the loan, resulting in a $1 million loss for the bank when the loan later defaulted. Zilberber…
Father/Son Owners Of Area Auto Dealership Charged With Tax, Bank Fraud Father/Son Owners Of Area Auto Dealership Charged With Tax, Bank Fraud
Father/Son Owners Of Area Auto Dealership Charged With Tax, Bank Fraud A father and son who own a Hudson Valley auto dealership are facing charges for an alleged multi-million dollar tax and bank fraud scheme. Central Valley residents Mehdi and Saeed Moslem, the owners of the Exclusive Motor Sports car dealership in their Orange County hometown, were arrested and indicted for their roles in conspiring to defraud the United States, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced. It is alleged that from 2009 through 2016, Mehdi Mosel, 70 and his son, 35, concealed millions of dollars in profits from the IRS that were tied to their dealership. Berman said that to fals…
NYPD Officer From Area Charged With Conspiring To Commit Bank, Loan Fraud NYPD Officer From Area Charged With Conspiring To Commit Bank, Loan Fraud
Nypd Officer From Area Charged With Conspiring To Commit Bank, Loan Fraud An NYPD police officer from the Hudson Valley is facing charges for allegedly participating in a $1.5 million auto loan scam that targeted people attempting to boost their credit scores. Eduardo Rodriguez, 41, of Goshen in Orange County, has been charged with conspiring to commit bank and loan fraud, as well as making false statements to federal law enforcement officers. He was arrested on Tuesday, July 2, and arraigned in Manhattan Federal Court. It is alleged that in June 2017, Rodriguez agreed with two other men, Ricardo Taboada, and Daniel Duran, to submit an application to a lender for…
Seen Her? Dutchess Bank Fraud Suspect On The Run, Police Say Seen Her? Dutchess Bank Fraud Suspect On The Run, Police Say
Seen Her? Dutchess Bank Fraud Suspect On The Run, Police Say An alert has been issued by New York State Police investigators for a woman wanted for bank fraud. Investigators in Wappingers are seeking the public’s assistance as they attempt to track down Jamie Mullins, 38, who is wanted by the New York State Police and Town of East Fishkill Justice Court for charges stemming from a bank fraud investigation. According to police, Mullins stole more than $8,000 from the Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union by cashing fraudulent business checks. A warrant was issued for her arrest in June 2007 for her arrest. Police described Mullins as 5-foot-6 African Am…
Wanted: Woman Accused Of $8K Dutchess Bank Fraud On Loose Wanted: Woman Accused Of $8K Dutchess Bank Fraud On Loose
Wanted: Woman Accused Of $8K Dutchess Bank Fraud On Loose Have you seen her? New York State Police investigators in Wappinger are seeking the public’s assistance as they attempt to track down a woman wanted on a grand larceny charge in East Fishkill, stemming from a bank fraud incident. Investigators issued an alert on Wednesday for Jamie Mullins, 38, who is wanted for allegedly stealing more than $8,000 from the Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union by cashing fraudulent business checks. In June 2007, the Town of East Fishkill Court issued a warrant for her arrest. Mullins was described as a 5-foot-6 African American with black hair, and brown eyes…
Police Seek To ID Women Who Cashed Fake $1K Check In Wappingers Falls Police Seek To ID Women Who Cashed Fake $1K Check In Wappingers Falls
Police Seek To ID Women Who Cashed Fake $1K Check In Wappingers Falls Do you know them? The two women shown in the photo above cashed a fraudulent personal check at a bank in the village of Wappingers Falls in the amount of $1,000 and state police say they are attempting to identify and locate them. The incident occurred on Wednesday, Jan. 2, police said.  Anyone with information regarding the identity or location of the one or both of the women is asked to please contact state police at (845) 677-7300.  Share this store on Facebook by clicking on the Facebook icon below. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
State Investigators Issue Subpoena To Michael Cohen As Part Of Trump Foundation Probe State Investigators Issue Subpoena To Michael Cohen As Part Of Trump Foundation Probe
State Investigators Issue Subpoena To Michael Cohen As Part Of Trump Foundation Probe Michael Cohen, the former personal attorney to President Donald Trump, has been subpoenaed by New York state investigators as part of a probe of the Trump Foundation, according to multiple reports. The move comes less than 24 hours after Cohen agreed to a plea agreement on eight charges, including multiple felony counts of bank and tax fraud as well federal campaign-finance violations involving hush-money payments he made to women who say they had extra-marital affairs with Trump.  Cohen, 51, said in court that Trump directed him to make the hush-money payments, and one audio recording by C…
Ex-Finance Director Serving Underprivileged Youth In NYC Charged With Fraud Ex-Finance Director Serving Underprivileged Youth In NYC Charged With Fraud
Ex-Finance Director Serving Underprivileged Youth In NYC Charged With Fraud A 45-year-old Fairfield County woman has been charged with fraud at a nonprofit organization serving underprivileged youths in Manhattan. Michelle Foley of Wilton is charged with bank, wire, and access device fraud in connection with her theft of funds from the organization.  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the Tuesday, April 24 the arrest of Foley, a former finance director of a nonprofit organization that provides arts and mentoring programs to underserved youth. Foley appeared in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday before the…
Thief Gets 3 Years In Fed Pen For Swiping $500,000 From Michaels' Customers Thief Gets 3 Years In Fed Pen For Swiping $500,000 From Michaels' Customers
Thief Gets 3 Years In Fed Pen For Swiping $500,000 From Michaels' Customers A 28-year-old man received three years in federal prison Wednesday for his role in stealing information from 94,000 credit and debit cards used by customers at Michaels stores in New York State and elsewhere and then pulling nearly $500,000 from the victims' accounts. Angel Angulo of Riverside, California, previously admitted that he and his co-conspirators replaced swipe terminals with imitations that they used to record the bank account numbers and PINs. They used the information to create bogus cards that were then used to withdraw money from hundreds of victims' accounts, he said. The …