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Ponzi Scheme

Multi-Million Dollar Ponzi Scheme: Long Island Man Sentenced, Must Pay $3.3M In Restitution Multi-Million Dollar Ponzi Scheme: Long Island Man Sentenced, Must Pay $3.3M In Restitution
Multi-Million Dollar Ponzi Scheme: Long Island Man Sentenced, Must Pay $3.3M In Restitution A Long Island man has been sentenced to over three years in prison for running a yearslong Ponzi scheme and using the proceeds to pay off his gambling debts, officials announced. John Quadrino, age 57, of Oceanside, was sentenced to 41 months behind bars and ordered to pay $3.3 million in restitution for running a million-dollar Ponzi scheme on Thursday, May 25, according to the Eastern District of New York Attorney’s Office. Quadrino asserted to potential investors that his companies – Princess Cut Industries, Inc., Sassy Jewelry Buyers, Inc., and Golden Glitter Trading, Inc. – sold diam…
$1 Million Ponzi Scheme: Long Island Investment Broker Pleads Guilty $1 Million Ponzi Scheme: Long Island Investment Broker Pleads Guilty
$1 Million Ponzi Scheme: Long Island Investment Broker Pleads Guilty A man who conned friends and neighbors in order to fund his “luxurious lifestyle” is now facing time behind bars. Rand Heckler, age 67, of Glen Cove, pleaded guilty to running a million-dollar Ponzi scheme where he conned acquaintances and strangers out of hundreds of thousands, the Nassau County District Attorney announced on Friday, April 21. The former investment broker started the scheme in 2015 by recommending that friends invest in a hedge fund of stocks and securities he was managing, the DA said. Between 2015 and 2020, Heckler received 24 checks from his victims totaling over $755…
NY Man, Partner Sentenced For Roles In $1M Ponzi Scheme NY Man, Partner Sentenced For Roles In $1M Ponzi Scheme
NY 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 …
Bernie Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get $372M More In Distributions, Feds Announce Bernie Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get $372M More In Distributions, Feds Announce
Bernie Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get $372M More In Distributions, Feds Announce Thousands of Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme victims will be receiving their portions of the latest distribution of more than $370 million. US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams announced that the Madoff Victim Fund will be distributing approximately $372 million to 40,000 victims worldwide who were involved in the fraud scheme. Earlier Report: Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get Nearly $500M More In Distributions To date, approximately $4 billion has been distributed to Madoff’s victims. Williams said that this eighth payment will bring the victims’ total re…
Decomposed Body Found In Connecticut Home ID'd As Ponzi Swindler, Jeffrey Epstein Mentor Decomposed Body Found In Connecticut Home ID'd As Ponzi Swindler, Jeffrey Epstein Mentor
Decomposed Body Found In Connecticut Home ID'd As Ponzi Swindler, Jeffrey Epstein Mentor A body found in a Connecticut home during a welfare check has positively been identified as Steven Hoffenberg, a longtime mentor of Jeffrey Epstein. Hoffenberg, the one-time owner of the New York Post and businessman who spent 18 years in prison for a $460 million Ponzi scheme, was found in the New Haven County home around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 23, in the city of Derby. According to the Derby Police, the medical examiner's office confirmed on Friday, Aug. 26, that the badly decomposed body was that of Hoffenberg.  An initial autopsy did not find signs of trauma on the body, the…
LI Man Sentenced For Role In $12 Million Ponzi Scheme Targeting Nearly 50 Victims LI Man Sentenced For Role In $12 Million Ponzi Scheme Targeting Nearly 50 Victims
LI Man Sentenced For Role In $12 Million 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…
Long Island Couple In $1 Million Securities Scam Targeting Investors, Authorities Say Long Island Couple In $1 Million Securities Scam Targeting Investors, Authorities Say
Long Island Couple In $1 Million Securities Scam Targeting Investors, Authorities Say Several New Jersey seniors were scammed out of more than $1 million combined by a Long Island couple, Garden State authorities have charged. Salvatore Magaraci, age 63, and A. Kirsten Gallardo, age 60, of Huntington, specifically targeted elderly victims to pitch unregistered securities to for a crooked – and now-defunct -- company, Acting New Jersey Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck said. The Woodbridge Group of Companies purported to be a commercial lender that made hard-money loans secured by mortgages on commercial property. It ended up being ordered to pay $1 billion -- and saw its…
Suffolk County Man Admits To $4.7M Mortgage-Fraud Scheme Suffolk County Man Admits To $4.7M Mortgage-Fraud Scheme
Suffolk County Man Admits To $4.7M Mortgage-Fraud Scheme An unlicensed mortgage broker on Long Island has admitted to his role in a multi-million dollar Ponzi-like scheme to defraud his clients, federal officials announced. Commack resident Brent Kaufman, age 50, pleaded guilty to stealing $4.7 million in mortgage refinancing proceeds that were meant to pay off the existing mortgages of his clients. Acting US Attorney Jacquelyn Kasulis said Kaufman worked as an unlicensed mortgage broker and assisted clients in Queens and Long Island with refinancing their mortgages. At the closing for a mortgage refinancing, the money from the new mortgage is …
NY Man Convicted For Running Multimillion-Dollar Ponzi Scheme NY Man Convicted For Running Multimillion-Dollar Ponzi Scheme
NY Man Convicted For Running Multimillion-Dollar Ponzi Scheme A Hudson Valley man has been convicted for operating a multimillion-dollar investment club that was actually a Ponzi scheme. Rockland County resident Ruless Pierre, age 51, of Nanuet, was convicted in Manhattan federal court of securities fraud, wire fraud, and structuring charges on Thursday, May 27. According to the allegations contained in the complaint, indictment, and the evidence presented at trial: From at least November 2016 through October 2019, Pierre solicited money from investors of Ruless Pierre Consulting Group by falsely promising them that he would earn a 20 percent return…
Owner, CEO From Long Island Among Trio Indicted For $1.8B Ponzi-Like Scheme Owner, CEO From Long Island Among Trio Indicted For $1.8B Ponzi-Like Scheme
Owner, CEO From Long Island Among Trio Indicted For $1.8B Ponzi-Like Scheme A man who was the head of a Manhattan investment fund was arrested on Thursday and is facing securities fraud charges for his role in an alleged $1.8 billion Ponzi-like scheme that saw his company paying clients with their own money.  Long Island resident David Gentile, age 54, of Manhasset, the founder, owner, and CEO of GPB Capital Holdings, was charged with two others for scheming to defraud investors by misrepresenting the source of funds used to make monthly distribution payments to them, federal officials said. Specifically, the three were charged with securities and wire fraud, …
NY Man Nabbed For Role In Decade-Long $1M Ponzi Scheme NY Man Nabbed For Role In Decade-Long $1M Ponzi Scheme
NY Man Nabbed For Role In Decade-Long $1M Ponzi Scheme A Westchester County man was arrested this week for his role in a near decade-long Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors in New York and other parts of the country out of more than $1 million. White Plains resident James Doyle, 72, and Carl Carro, 59, of Walton, Delaware, the purported managing directors of headhunting companies Endeavor Management Solutions and Endeavor Consultancy, have been charged in a 42-count indictment for their roles in the schema. Specifically, the two were charged with multiple counts of money laundering, grand larceny, securities fraud, and scheme to defraud. Ne…
Suffolk County Man Admits To Running $200M Ponzi Scheme Suffolk County Man Admits To Running $200M Ponzi Scheme
Suffolk County Man Admits To Running $200M Ponzi Scheme A 53-year-old man has admitted to running a $200 million Ponzi scheme in New York based on false statements to investors about inflated returns for nonexistent wholesale jewelry deals, federal authorities announced on Wednesday, Dec. 30. Long Island resident Gregory Altieri, 53, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for running the scheme.  As part of the plea, Altieri, of Melville in Suffolk County, also admitted to committing securities fraud in connection with the scheme.  When sentenced, Altieri faces up to 20 years in prison.  “With today’s guilty plea, Altieri is hel…
Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get Nearly $500M More In Distributions Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get Nearly $500M More In Distributions
Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get Nearly $500M More In Distributions Thousands of Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi Scheme victims will be receiving their portions of the latest distribution of nearly $500 million. Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Audrey Strauss announced that the Madoff Victim Fund will be distributing approximately $488 million to more than 37,000 of his victims involved in the fraud scheme. To date, approximately $2.7 billion has been distributed to Madoff’s victims. Strauss said that this sixth payment will bring the victims’ total recovery to 80.05 percent of their losses. Ultimately, more than $4 billion will be returne…
Former Broker From Long Island Accused Of Swindling $1M From Friends, Neighbors Former Broker From Long Island Accused Of Swindling $1M From Friends, Neighbors
Former Broker From Long Island Accused Of Swindling $1M From Friends, Neighbors A former investment broker from Long Island has been accused of using a fake hedge fund to fleece friends and neighbors out of more than $1 million in a Ponzi scheme. Rand Heckler, 55, of Glen Head, allegedly used his clients’ money – more than $1 million – to pay for his mortgage, country club membership and other expenses, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said. Heckler was arraigned on Wednesday, Sept. 30 in Mineola and charged with: three counts of grand larceny in the second degree (a Class C felony),  grand larceny in the third degree (a Class D felony), sc…
Long Island Man Sentenced For Running $19M Ponzi Scheme Long Island Man Sentenced For Running $19M Ponzi Scheme
Long Island Man Sentenced For Running $19M Ponzi Scheme A former Wall Street trader has been sentenced to over five years in prison after admitting to defrauding investors in a $19 million Ponzi scheme. Long Island resident Paul A. Rinfret, 71, of Manhasset, had pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud last fall. This week, Rinfret was sentenced to 63 months in prison. According to Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District Audrey Strauss, Rinfret alleged that he touted “extremely high returns in his trading,” when in reality he simply stole the investors’ money to fund a lavish lifestyle. I…
Jewelry Wholesaler From Suffolk Indicted For $200M Ponzi Scheme Jewelry Wholesaler From Suffolk Indicted For $200M Ponzi Scheme
Jewelry Wholesaler From Suffolk Indicted For $200M Ponzi Scheme A jewelry wholesaler from Long Island is facing charges for allegedly operating a $200 million Ponzi Scheme in New York. Long Island resident Gregory Altieri, of Melville in Suffolk County, the president of LNA Associates, was indicted for allegedly operating a two-year $200 million scheme based on nonexistent wholesale jewelry deals and false promises of inflated returns, federal officials said. It is alleged that beginning in August 2017, Altieri solicited between $75 million to $85 million from more than 80 investors in Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, and elsewhere, to allegedly purc…
New Distribution Of More Than $378M Allotted To Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims New Distribution Of More Than $378M Allotted To Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims
New Distribution Of More Than $378M Allotted To Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims Thousands of Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi Scheme victims will be receiving their portions of the fifth distribution of more than $378 million this week. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced that the Madoff Victim Fund will be distributing $378.5 million to more than 26,000 of his victims involved in the fraud scheme. To date, approximately $2.7 billion has been distributed to Madoff’s victims. Berman said that the fifth payment will bring the victims’ total recovery to 73.65 percent of their losses.  Ultimately, more than $4 billion will be returned due to losses suffered in Madoff’s Ponz…
LI Ponzi Scheme Victims Getting $5 Million Back LI Ponzi Scheme Victims Getting $5 Million Back
LI Ponzi Scheme Victims Getting $5 Million Back The investors in a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme run in part by a Long Island scammer have received millions in restitution. Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that 48 victims of Pennsylvania’s Kevin Brody and Syosset resident Matthew Eckstein - who were arrested last year for their role in the scheme - received restitution checks that totaled approximately $4.6 million. Last year, it was determined that Eckstein and Brody scammed a total of $12 million from 50 people - many of whom were senior citizens - while acting as financial advisers. In reality, the money t…
Financial Advisor Admits To Running $5M Ponzi Scheme, SDNY Says Financial Advisor Admits To Running $5M Ponzi Scheme, SDNY Says
Financial Advisor Admits To Running $5M Ponzi Scheme, Sdny Says A financial adviser from Fairfield County admitted to running a yearlong multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme. Norwalk resident James Booth, 74, who operated Booth Financial Associates, pleaded guilty solicited money from clients, falsely promising to invest the money in opportunities offered outside of their ordinary advisory and brokerage accounts. Booth pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud. When he is sentenced on Feb. 21 next year, he will face up to 20 years in prison. In total, Booth fraudulently obtained nearly $5 million from his customers. Instead of investing their money,…