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Restitution

Westchester Pharmacies Tied To $11.5M Medicaid Fraud Scheme, Former Owner Gets Prison Time Westchester Pharmacies Tied To $11.5M Medicaid Fraud Scheme, Former Owner Gets Prison Time
Westchester Pharmacies Tied To $11.5M Medicaid Fraud Scheme, Former Owner Gets Prison Time The owner of several pharmacies in Westchester County and New York City has been sentenced to prison for running a multimillion-dollar Medicaid fraud scheme that endangered vulnerable HIV patients, officials said. Aftab Hussain was sentenced to two to six years in prison for stealing over $11.5 million through a scheme involving illegal kickbacks and black market medications, the Attorney General’s Office announced on Wednesday, Nov. 20.  According to the AG's Office, Hussain owned or controlled more than 20 pharmacies, including some in Westchester County, where he exploited low-…
Former Congressional Candidate From Westchester Gets Years In Prison For Fraud Former Congressional Candidate From Westchester Gets Years In Prison For Fraud
Former Congressional Candidate From Westchester Gets Years In Prison For Fraud A former congressional candidate from Westchester who once held several leadership positions in county and city government will spend several years in prison for stealing restaurant workers' wages and using them for himself.  Mount Vernon resident Derickson Lawrence, age 67, who unsuccessfully ran as a Democrat to represent New York's 16th Congressional District in 2018 and 2016, was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison for defrauding his payroll company's client and a COVID-19 relief program, according to court documents.  Lawrence had been the chief…
$9.6M Scheme: Businessman Admits To Fraud Involving Banks, Including 1 In Hudson Valley $9.6M Scheme: Businessman Admits To Fraud Involving Banks, Including 1 In Hudson Valley
$9.6M Scheme: Businessman Admits To Fraud Involving Banks, Including 1 In Hudson Valley The owner of a New York business admitted to running a multimillion-dollar check-kiting scheme to keep his company operating. Long Island resident John B. Mensch, age 54, pleaded guilty in connection with a nearly year-long fraud conspiracy involving banks in Suffolk County and the Hudson Valley, federal authorities announced Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 2. Mensch, of Quogue, faces up to five years’ imprisonment as well as financial penalties, including restitution to the two banks of approximately $9.6 million. According to court filings, Mensch was the owner and operator of East End, a…
Business Owner Who Scammed Customers Steals Wallet From Westchester Gym: Police Business Owner Who Scammed Customers Steals Wallet From Westchester Gym: Police
Business Owner Who Scammed Customers Steals Wallet From Westchester Gym: Police A 36-year-old former business owner from Long Island who admitted to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from customers was apprehended after stealing a wallet from a Northern Westchester gym and using a credit card inside in the Hudson Valley, police said. The theft happened in Yorktown on Tuesday, Oct. 1, when a wallet was stolen from Club Fit at 600 Bank Rd., Yorktown Police said on Friday, Oct. 4.  Investigators quickly realized that the victim's credit card had recently been used in Putnam County, and when they obtained surveillance video from this location, they were able t…
Ex-Controller Who Stole $340K From Westchester Company Gets Prison Time Ex-Controller Who Stole $340K From Westchester Company Gets Prison Time
Ex-Controller Who Stole $340K From Westchester Company Gets Prison Time A 54-year-old woman who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Northern Westchester-based company she worked for will spend several years in prison.  Mohegan Lake resident ToniAnn Rosado was sentenced to a term of two to six years in prison on Friday, Sept. 27 for stealing more than $340,000 from North Castle-based paint company CR Wallauer & Company, Inc., the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday, Oct. 1.  According to the DA's Office, in her role as the company's controller, Rosado stole $341,707.54 between July 7, 2017, …
'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…
$2M Con Job: NY Contractor Admits Defrauding Victims Of Hurricane Sandy $2M Con Job: NY Contractor Admits Defrauding Victims Of Hurricane Sandy
$2M Con Job: NY Contractor Admits Defrauding Victims Of Hurricane Sandy A former New York contractor confessed to stealing millions of dollars from homeowners who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy to fund his lavish lifestyle. Alexander Almaraz, age 56, who formerly lived on Long Island in Freeport, pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges in Central Islip federal court on Thursday, Sept. 5. Prosecutors said Almaraz, who owned Design Concepts Group (DCG) in Freeport, targeted homeowners who suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 and later received relief funds from the governor’s office. Earlier Report: Lamborghini, Porsche, Jaguar,…
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…
Westchester Man Sexually Abused, Groomed Young Victim From Age 10 To 18: Here's His Sentence Westchester Man Sexually Abused, Groomed Young Victim From Age 10 To 18: Here's His Sentence
Westchester Man Sexually Abused, Groomed Young Victim From Age 10 To 18: Here's His Sentence A 53-year-old man from Westchester will spend decades in prison for sexually abusing a victim throughout their teenage years as well as amassing a large collection of child pornography, officials announced.  Fred Mastroianni, a resident of White Plains, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for grooming a young victim over the course of several years.  Additionally, he was convicted of receiving and distributing child pornography.  The announcement was made by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York on Thursday, August 15th. According to federal of…
Former Mamaroneck Library Business Manager Steals Over $43K: Here's Her Sentence Former Mamaroneck Library Business Manager Steals Over $43K: Here's Her Sentence
Former Mamaroneck Library Business Manager Steals Over $43K: Here's Her Sentence The former business manager of a public library in Westchester has received her sentence for stealing more than $43,000 over several years, officials announced.  Mamaroneck resident Mary Soto, age 62, who was once the business manager at the Mamaroneck Public Library, was sentenced to three years of probation for stealing from the institution between 2016 and 2023, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday, July 31.  According to the DA's Office, between May 2016 and February 2023, Soto stole around $43,940 from the library's bank accounts in th…
Westchester Contractor Fails To Pay 8 Workers Over $31K: Here's His Sentence Westchester Contractor Fails To Pay 8 Workers Over $31K: Here's His Sentence
Westchester Contractor Fails To Pay 8 Workers Over $31K: Here's His Sentence A 38-year-old contractor from Westchester has been ordered to pay tens of thousands of dollars in fines after failing to pay eight workers their wages for months, officials announced.  Artemio Fuerte, a resident of New Rochelle and the owner of Fuerte Construction LLC, was sentenced on Wednesday, July 31 to three years of probation and a $12,000 fine. This ruling came after he failed to pay over $31,500 to eight workers he employed between 2020 and 2023.  The announcement was made by the Westchester County District Attorney's Office. According to the DA's Office, the Economic Cri…
Update: Westchester-Based Accountant Nabbed In Tax Fraud Scheme Was Longtime Firefighter Update: Westchester-Based Accountant Nabbed In Tax Fraud Scheme Was Longtime Firefighter
Update: Westchester-Based Accountant Nabbed In Tax Fraud Scheme Was Longtime Firefighter A Westchester-based accountant who admitted participating in a multi-million dollar tax evasion scheme with his partner was a volunteer firefighter who served for almost three decades, including during 9/11.  Certified public accountants New Jersey resident Jack Sardis, age 66, of Englewood Cliffs in Bergen County, and his partner, George Sanossian, age 70, of Scarsdale, both admitted to scheming with their clients to reduce tax liabilities through a shell company, leading to over $2 million in unreported cash transactions, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of…
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…
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Murder Of Ex-Girlfriend's Boyfriend Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Murder Of Ex-Girlfriend's Boyfriend
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Murder Of Ex-Girlfriend's Boyfriend In a courtroom packed with large contingents of supporters for the victim and the defendant, a Hudson Valley man was sentenced to prison for gunning down and killing his ex-friend's new boyfriend. Orange County resident Walter Post, Jr., age 26, of Pine Bush was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison for his jealous killing of his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend, Michael Hankins, age 29, in Ulster County, on Vinegar Hill Road in Shawangunk in the early morning of Tuesday, Jan. 11, said the Ulster County District Attorney's Office. Visiting Ulster County Court Judge James Farrell also gr…
NY Man Sentenced For Role In $12M Ponzi Scheme Targeting Nearly 50 Victims NY Man Sentenced For Role In $12M Ponzi Scheme Targeting Nearly 50 Victims
NY Man Sentenced For Role In $12M Ponzi Scheme Targeting Nearly 50 Victims 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…
NY To Have $110M In Student Debt Canceled As Part Of $1.85B Settlement NY To Have $110M In Student Debt Canceled As Part Of $1.85B Settlement
NY To Have $110M In Student Debt Canceled As Part Of $1.85B Settlement New Yorkers will have millions of dollars in debt canceled after one of the nation’s largest student loan services agreed to relieve $1.85 billion in loan debt as part of a multi-state agreement, authorities announced. Navient, the target of a bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general agreed to cancel $1.7 billion in private student loan debt and offered $95 million in restitution for thousands of students nationwide following an investigation into the company's business practices. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the agreement on Thursday, Jan. 13, which will include mo…
Area Man Accused Of Dealing Meth, Cocaine, Other Drugs Sentenced Area Man Accused Of Dealing Meth, Cocaine, Other Drugs Sentenced
Area Man Accused Of Dealing Meth, Cocaine, Other Drugs Sentenced A drug dealer has been sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance. Putnam County resident Brian Flandreau, age 42, of Lake Carmel, was sentenced on Tuesday, May 11. During a two-month investigation, members of the New York State Police Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team purchased over $2,800 worth of methamphetamine from Flandreau on four different occasions,  said Putnam County District Attorney Robert V. Tendy. These sales took place at Flandreau’s residence and at locations throughout Putn…
Nationally Known Westchester Restaurant Owner Sentenced For Not Paying Taxes Nationally Known Westchester Restaurant Owner Sentenced For Not Paying Taxes
Nationally Known Westchester Restaurant Owner Sentenced For Not Paying Taxes 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 …
Man Sentenced For Holiday Time Burglary Spree In Westchester, Ordered To Pay Thousands Man Sentenced For Holiday Time Burglary Spree In Westchester, Ordered To Pay Thousands
Man Sentenced For Holiday Time Burglary Spree In Westchester, Ordered To Pay Thousands A 43-year-old man who went on a holiday-time crime spree in Westchester will spend a decade behind bars after admitting to burglary and robbery charges. Yonkers resident German Martinez was sentenced to 10 years in prison after he pleaded guilty on nine counts for a spree that started the day after Christmas in 2019 and continued into the first week of the New Year. Specifically, Martinez pleaded guilty to: Two counts of first-degree burglary; One count of robbery; Six counts of second-degree burglary. Prosecutors said that Martinez broke into several Westchester residences in a burglary …
Area Town Board Member Who Co-Owns Restaurant Admits To Theft Of Services Area Town Board Member Who Co-Owns Restaurant Admits To Theft Of Services
Area Town Board Member Who Co-Owns Restaurant Admits To Theft Of Services A town board member who also serves as co-owner of a restaurant in Carmel has admitted to theft of services. Michael Barile pleaded guilty to one count of the Class A misdemeanor in the Town of Philipstown Justice Court. "As Barile admitted in court, as the co-owner of Blu Restaurant, located at 825 South Lake Boulevard in the Town of Carmel, he illegally connected the restaurant’s waste system to the public sewer system without permission or authority to do so, and thereby avoided having to pay for using the sewer system as he would otherwise have been required to do,"&…
Seven From Area Admit To Scam Stealing $14M Intended For Schools Seven From Area Admit To Scam Stealing $14M Intended For Schools
Seven From Area Admit To Scam Stealing $14M Intended For Schools Seven area residents charged in a scheme to steal $14 million from the federal “E-Rate” program designed to provide computer technology to students at underprivileged schools have pleaded guilty. Peretz Klein and Susan Klein, both of Spring Valley; and Simon Goldbrenner, Moshe Schwartz, Ben Klein, Sholem Steinberg, and Aron Melber, all of Monsey, pleaded guilty in White Plains Federal Court to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on Wednesday, Feb. 12, said U.S  Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey S. Berman. “Each of these defendants has now admitted hi…
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 In Westchester Admits To $417K Performance Scam Former HR Officer In Westchester Admits To $417K Performance Scam
Former HR Officer In Westchester 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…
Two Men Sentenced For String Of Westchester Burglaries Two Men Sentenced For String Of Westchester Burglaries
Two Men Sentenced For String Of Westchester Burglaries Two men have been sentenced for their roles in a string of burglaries targeting southern Westchester businesses over several months in 2017. Brooklyn resident Patrick Williams and Kareem Johnakin of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania were sentenced to prison time after pleading guilty to charges related to the burglaries of several Yonkers and New Rochelle businesses. Williams pleaded guilty in April to five counts of third-degree burglary, and was sentenced to a term of three-and-a-half to seven years on each count, which will run concurrently. Johnakin pleaded guilty to one count of burglary a…
Westchester Woman Sentenced For Collecting $60K From Dead Mother's Pension Westchester Woman Sentenced For Collecting $60K From Dead Mother's Pension
Westchester Woman Sentenced For Collecting $60K From Dead Mother's Pension A Westchester woman admitted to stealing more than $60,000 from her dead mother’s pension payments and will avoid jail time. Rochelle Rose, 41, who pleaded guilty to grand larceny in April, has been sentenced to five years probation, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr., announced. She also must pay $60,288 in restitution for stealing from the New York State and Local Retirement System following her mother’s death. Rose, a Mount Vernon resident, stole the money by keeping her dead mother’s deposited pension checks and then…
Westchester Business Owner Sentenced For Stealing From Clients Westchester Business Owner Sentenced For Stealing From Clients
Westchester Business Owner Sentenced For Stealing From Clients A Westchester County businessman will spend time behind bars after admitting to lining his own pockets with hundreds of thousands of dollars as part of a scheme to steal business taxes from clients that employed his services. Pleasantville resident Stefan Malgarinos, 48, has been sentenced to prison time after pleading guilty to grand larceny and scheme to defraud, both felonies, related to stealing withholding tax money from state and federal authorities collected from his clients. Westchester County District Attorney District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr., said that Malgarinos was …
Owner Sentenced For Conspiring With Westchester Man In Setting Fire To Rival Deli Owner Sentenced For Conspiring With Westchester Man In Setting Fire To Rival Deli
Owner Sentenced For Conspiring With Westchester Man In Setting Fire To Rival Deli A former deli owner will spend years behind bars after conspiring with a man from Westchester to burn down a competitor’s store. Redhwan Saleh has been sentenced to 63 months in prison for his participation in arson in the Bronx. He was convicted earlier this year following a four-day trial, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said. According to Berman, Saleh owned a deli near the intersection of 242nd Street and Broadway in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. When Saleh learned that a competing deli was set to open a few stores down, Saleh paid three men - including New Rochelle resident Antoine…
Former Teller Sentenced For Participating In Violent Bank Robbery In Westchester Former Teller Sentenced For Participating In Violent Bank Robbery In Westchester
Former Teller Sentenced For Participating In Violent Bank Robbery In Westchester A former bank teller in Westchester has been sentenced for her participation in an armed robbery that netted more than $300,000 and a vacation to Aruba. Virginia Blanco has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for participating in the robbery of a Wells Fargo Bank branch on Odel Avenue in Yonkers in October 2013 that included several rounds being fired during the exchange. She must also pay $303,500 in restitution. Blanco had been found guilty by a jury of conspiracy, bank robbery, and a firearm offense in July last year following a four-day trial in White Plains federal court, U.S. At…
Bookkeeper Sentenced For Stealing $300K From Westchester Businesses Bookkeeper Sentenced For Stealing $300K From Westchester Businesses
Bookkeeper Sentenced For Stealing $300K From Westchester Businesses A 71-year-old former bookkeeper from heading to prison after stealing more than $375,000 from her Westchester employee of 20 years. Patricia Hunt of New Rochelle has been sentenced to a term of between two and six years in state prison after pleading guilty to grand larceny, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr. announced. She has also been ordered to pay her former employer $375,825.88 in restitution. Hunt, worked as a former bookkeeper for Artisan Restoration Co., Inc. and E. Gargiulo Interior & Exterior Restoration Co., Inc. in Mount Vernon for two decades.…
Westchester Businessman Admits To Swindling Clients Out Of Thousands Westchester Businessman Admits To Swindling Clients Out Of Thousands
Westchester Businessman Admits To Swindling Clients Out Of Thousands A Westchester County businessman has admitted to lining his own pockets with thousands of dollars as part of a scheme to steal business taxes from clients that employed his services. Pleasantville resident Stefan Malgarinos, 48, has pleaded guilty to grand larceny and scheme to defraud, both felonies, related to stealing withholding tax money from state and federal authorities collected from his clients. Malgarinos, the owner of Manos Business Management in Pleasantville, was hired by businesses in the tri-state area to file withholding tax returns, to pay withholding taxes collected f…
Here's When Bottini Fuel Fraud Victims Can Expect Refunds Here's When Bottini Fuel Fraud Victims Can Expect Refunds
Here's When Bottini Fuel Fraud Victims Can Expect Refunds For the thousands of customers who may have been defrauded by Bottini Fuel, refunds will soon be on the way.The Wappingers Falls-based heating oil delivery company stole more than 1.7 million from customers by keeping overpayments and duplicate payments over a 12 year period, according to the New York State Attorney General's Office.  Now, the company has to repay more than $3.2 million in penalties and restitution as part of an agreement with the government. According to the AG's office, Hudson Valley homeowners and businesses are owed $1,171,884 in refunds, and government entiti…