Tag:

Wire Fraud

$3.4M Scheme: Ex-Controller Admits To Embezzling Family-Owned Westchester Business $3.4M Scheme: Ex-Controller Admits To Embezzling Family-Owned Westchester Business
$3.4M Scheme: Ex-Controller Admits To Embezzling Family-Owned Westchester Business A senior member of a family-owned company has admitted to embezzling more than $3.4 million from the business over five years. According to court filings released on Thursday, Oct. 10, John Hickey, age 34, created false invoices that appeared to be from entities with which the Northern Westchester-based corporations did business from February 2018 to November 2023. The company, located in Armonk, manufactured flame retardant fabrics. Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said Hickey then forged signatures that supposedly approved payment of those invo…
COVID-19: John Gotti's NY Grandson Admits To $1M Relief Fraud COVID-19: John Gotti's NY Grandson Admits To $1M Relief Fraud
Covid-19: John Gotti's NY Grandson Admits To $1M Relief Fraud A New York man with ties to the Mafia formally confessed to a million-dollar COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. Long Island resident Carmine Agnello, age 38, of Smithtown, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in Central Islip federal court on Thursday, Sept. 26. Agnello is the grandson of the late John Gotti, former boss of the Gambino organized crime family. According to prosecutors, between April 2020 and November 2021, he fraudulently applied for, and received, at least three small business loans under the US Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDLP). The program…
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 …
$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,…
$2.4M Scheme: Former Westchester Town Employee, Business Owner Admit To Illegal Dumping Plot $2.4M Scheme: Former Westchester Town Employee, Business Owner Admit To Illegal Dumping Plot
$2.4M Scheme: Former Westchester Town Employee, Business Owner Admit To Illegal Dumping Plot A former Northern Westchester town employee has admitted to allowing a business owner to illegally dump unauthorized material at an environmentally fragile facility in exchange for cash bribes, federal officials announced.  Verplanck resident Robert Dyckman, age 52, and Cortlandt Manor resident Glenn Griffin, age 55, both pleaded guilty to charges related to the $2.4 million scheme, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Monday, Aug. 26.  According to federal officials, Dyckman, the former Assistant General Foreman for the Town o…
Friar In White Plains-Based Province Accepted Donations For Fake Medical Clinics: Fed Friar In White Plains-Based Province Accepted Donations For Fake Medical Clinics: Fed
Friar In White Plains-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…
Ex-NY Rep. Santos To Plead Guilty In Federal Trial: Reports Ex-NY Rep. Santos To Plead Guilty In Federal Trial: Reports
Ex-NY Rep. Santos To Plead Guilty In Federal Trial: Reports Former Republican Rep. George Santos is expected to plead guilty to federal charges weeks ahead of his upcoming trial, multiple news outlets are reporting.  The 36-year-old Santos, who represented New York's 3rd Congressional District, faces 23 federal charges including identity theft, wire fraud, money laundering, and lying to Congress.  NBC News reported that Santos' lawyers and federal investigators are hammering out a plea deal on some of those charges that will be presented to a judge on Monday, Aug. 19. The details on that agreement, which charges he will admit to, and …
Ousted NY Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You' Ousted NY Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You'
Ousted NY Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You' Former Rep. George Santos may have been banished out into the political cold, but he's kept his grudges hot.  The 36-year-old former Republican who served New York's 3rd District posted a video Tuesday night, Aug. 6, celebrating after another member of the so-called "Squad" lost her primary. Related: Santos Announces Comeback Bid After Being Ousted From Congress Rep. Cori Bush, who has served Missouri's 1st District since 2021, lost her bid on Tuesday to remain on the Democratic ticket to local prosecutor Wesley Bell, who garnered 51 percent of the vote to Bush's 45, according to NBC …
$1B Scheme: Pair Of CEOs, Including NY Man, Defrauded 10K Investors, Jury Finds $1B Scheme: Pair Of CEOs, Including NY Man, Defrauded 10K Investors, Jury Finds
$1B Scheme: Pair Of CEOs, Including NY Man, Defrauded 10K Investors, Jury Finds A New York resident was one of two CEOs convicted in federal court of a $1 billion fraud scheme involving thousands of investors. Long Island resident David Gentile, age 57, of Manhasset, and Jeffry Schneider, age 55, of Austin, Texas, were found guilty in federal court on all counts of an indictment charging them with conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and securities fraud. Gentile, the owner and CEO of GPB Capital Holdings, was also convicted on two counts of wire fraud. The verdict came after an eight-week trial. When sentenced on Thursd…
$2M Scheme: 3 NYers Among 4 Nabbed For Defrauding Company, Feds Say $2M Scheme: 3 NYers Among 4 Nabbed For Defrauding Company, Feds Say
$2M Scheme: 3 NYers Among 4 Nabbed For Defrauding Company, Feds Say Four men have been accused of creating hundreds of fictitious brokerage accounts in defrauding a financial services company of more than $2 million. They have pleaded guilty in federal court in Central Islip to money laundering conspiracy in connection with the scheme involving the global financial services firm based in Menlo Park, California, which is located near San Francisco. Three of the four are Long Island residents: Edward Hernandez, also known as “Ghost,” age 33, of Lindenhurst; Christopher Flagg, also known as “Venus," age 28, of Copiague; Daquan Lloyd, also…
George Santos Launches OnlyFans Account: 'The Moment You've All Been Waiting For' George Santos Launches OnlyFans Account: 'The Moment You've All Been Waiting For'
George Santos Launches OnlyFans Account: 'The Moment You've All Been Waiting For' Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos announced that he now has an OnlyFans account where subscribers can get “full behind-the-scenes access” for $30 a month. The ex-lawmaker, a Republican from Long Island, served 11 months before he was ousted from his 3rd District seat representing parts of Nassau County and Queens. Since then, the admitted liar has stayed firmly in the public eye, appearing on internet shows, launching a Cameo account (which led to Santos suing late-night host Jimmy Kimmel), and even allegedly working on a documentary and a reality show. His next venture?…
$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…
Westchester Postal Carrier Took Credit Cards, Checks From Mail, Stole Identities: Feds Westchester Postal Carrier Took Credit Cards, Checks From Mail, Stole Identities: Feds
Westchester Postal Carrier Took Credit Cards, Checks From Mail, Stole Identities: Feds A Westchester County postal carrier from Long Island faces federal charges after taking credit cards, checks, and identities from the mail to steal money from those along her route, officials announced.  Nassau County resident Tameka Babulal of Hempstead, age 36, was arrested in connection with the alleged identity theft scheme on Wednesday, May 22, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced. Babulal, a mail carrier who worked in the Westchester County city of Mount Vernon, was arrested along with her husband, Hempstead resident 36-year-old Joel Babul…
NY Financial Advisor Stole Over $1M From Clients To Buy Car, High-End Clothing, Jury Finds NY Financial Advisor Stole Over $1M From Clients To Buy Car, High-End Clothing, Jury Finds
NY Financial Advisor Stole Over $1M From Clients To Buy Car, High-End Clothing, Jury Finds A former investment adviser and founder of a New York financial advisory firm could spend decades in federal prison for conning his clients out of more than $1 million. Long Island resident Jeffrey Slothower, age 46, of Southampton, was found guilty of wire fraud and related charges by a jury in Central Islip federal court on Thursday, May 16. According to prosecutors, in 2017 Slothower targeted a California couple whose money he had managed at another financial services firm, promising them he could beat any rate of return they were receiving at his own firm, Battery Private. He offered t…
COVID-19: NY Duo Steals $8M From Company Seeking Surgical Masks, Feds Say COVID-19: NY Duo Steals $8M From Company Seeking Surgical Masks, Feds Say
Covid-19: NY Duo Steals $8M From Company Seeking Surgical Masks, Feds Say Two New York residents are accused of conning a medical supply company out of millions of dollars in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Long Island resident Jonathan Cannon, age 58, of Miller Place, and Erie County resident Julie Dotton, age 51, of Orchard Park, are both charged with wire fraud in a complaint unsealed in Central Islip federal court on Thursday, May 2. According to prosecutors, a Canadian company serving as an official provider of personal protective equipment paid Cannon and Dotton $8.2 million for surgical masks needed due to the pandemic. In exchange, Dotton agreed…
Hudson Valley Veteran Lies About Earning Purple Heart To Defraud Gov't, Charity Donors: Feds Hudson Valley Veteran Lies About Earning Purple Heart To Defraud Gov't, Charity Donors: Feds
Hudson Valley Veteran Lies About Earning Purple Heart To Defraud Gov't, Charity Donors: Feds An Army veteran from New York is accused of lying about earning one of the nation's highest military honors in order to rake in six figures from the government and donors to her charity. Orange County resident Sharon Toney-Finch, of Newburgh, was arrested by the FBI’s White Collar Crime Task Force on Wednesday, May 1, following a two-year investigation. According to federal prosecutors, Toney-Finch falsely claimed that she suffered combat-related injuries during a mortar attack and a separate vehicle rollover while serving in Iraq in 2010. Those claims reportedly led to her receiving hundr…
$1.7M COVID-19 Fraud Scheme: Westchester Daughter, Mom Who Worked For Police Sentenced $1.7M COVID-19 Fraud Scheme: Westchester Daughter, Mom Who Worked For Police Sentenced
$1.7M Covid-19 Fraud Scheme: Westchester Daughter, Mom Who Worked For Police Sentenced A mother-daughter duo has been sentenced to prison for defrauding the government of approximately $1.7 million.  Westchester County residents Alicia Ayers and her mother, Andrea Ayers, both of Mount Vernon, were found guilty of submitting more than 300 fraudulent applications for US Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans.  Andrea Ayers was a former Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Mount Vernon Police Department. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress expanded the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program to provide low-interest …
$50M Scheme: Westchester Man Admits Selling Fraudulent Prescriptions, Feds Say $50M Scheme: Westchester Man Admits Selling Fraudulent Prescriptions, Feds Say
$50M Scheme: Westchester Man Admits Selling Fraudulent Prescriptions, Feds Say A 44-year-old Westchester man has admitted to a healthcare fraud scheme that cost Medicare nearly $50 million in losses, federal officials announced. Pelham Manor resident Manishkumar Patel pleaded guilty on Friday, April 26 to charges connected to a healthcare fraud and kickback scheme involving the sale of fraudulent prescriptions, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. Earlier Report - $10M Scheme: Pelham Manor Man Nabbed For Selling Fraudulent Prescriptions, Feds Say According to federal officials, between 2019 and 2022, Patel and a …
George Santos Announces Comeback Bid For NY Congressional Seat: 'Off To The Races' George Santos Announces Comeback Bid For NY Congressional Seat: 'Off To The Races'
George Santos Announces Comeback Bid For NY Congressional Seat: 'Off To The Races' Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos is mounting a comeback campaign. The Republican ex-lawmaker from Long Island – who was ousted from his 3rd District seat representing parts of Nassau County and Queens – announced a primary challenge against Rep. Nick LaLota for his 1st District seat. In a statement on X shared during President Biden’s State of the Union address Thursday night, March 7, Santos said New York hasn’t had “a real conservative represent them” since he left office “thanks to RINO, empty suits like Nick LaLota.” Earlier Report: Exiled Congressman Turned Reality …
Exiled Congressman Turned Reality TV Star? 2 George Santos Productions In Works, He Claims Exiled Congressman Turned Reality TV Star? 2 George Santos Productions In Works, He Claims
Exiled Congressman Turned Reality TV Star? 2 George Santos Productions In Works, He Claims If disgraced former New York congressman and admitted liar George Santos is to be believed, you haven’t seen the last of him. The Republican ex-lawmaker told City & State New York he’s been busy working on both a documentary and a reality TV show since being ousted from his 3rd District House seat representing parts of Nassau County and Queens. “So there’s just so many things that I’m working on now that I prefer to engage in instead of going into a messy primary to take on (newly sworn-in Democratic Rep.) Tom Suozzi,” Santos told the outlet. Earlier Report: Not Laughi…
Hudson Valley Man Gets Jail Time For Stealing $500K From Retirement Accounts Hudson Valley Man Gets Jail Time For Stealing $500K From Retirement Accounts
Hudson Valley Man Gets Jail Time For Stealing $500K From Retirement Accounts A former financial advisor from the Hudson Valley will spend years in prison for his role in a scheme to steal from a retirement fund sponsored by a labor union for law enforcement employees. Putnam County resident Andrew Brown, age 56, of Putnam Valley, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for defrauding members of the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA), a labor union for law enforcement officers employed by New York City, the US Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York announced on Wednesday, Jan. 17.  Earlier Report - $500K Scheme: Putnam Vall…
$20M Scheme: Former Westchester Resident Steals Funds From Bank For Investment Firm, Feds Say $20M Scheme: Former Westchester Resident Steals Funds From Bank For Investment Firm, Feds Say
$20M Scheme: Former Westchester Resident Steals Funds From Bank For Investment Firm, Feds Say A former Westchester resident faces charges after allegedly stealing funds from a bank through lines of credit totaling $20 million for the multi-million-dollar municipal tax lien investment firm that he founded, federal officials announced.  John Arthur Hanratty, a 49-year-old New York-licensed attorney who lived in Rye until 2019 before moving to San Juan, Puerto Rico, was arrested on fraud charges in connection with a scheme to steal money from a bank for his investment firm, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York said. According to federal officials,&nb…
George Santos In Talks For Plea Deal In 23-Count Federal Case, Court Filing Shows George Santos In Talks For Plea Deal In 23-Count Federal Case, Court Filing Shows
George Santos In Talks For Plea Deal In 23-Count Federal Case, Court Filing Shows Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos may avoid leaving his fate up to a trial in his federal fraud case. The Republican ex-congressman is currently in talks with federal prosecutors for a possible plea deal in his 23-count criminal case, according to a filing in Central Islip federal court on Monday, Dec. 11. In the joint filing, US Attorney Breon Peace and Santos asked the court to schedule the next status conference in approximately 30 days, saying “the parties are presently engaged in plea negotiations with the goal of resolving this matter without the need for a trial.” Earli…
Santos Saga: Ethics Committee Won’t Recommend Punishment For Embattled NY Rep, Report Says Santos Saga: Ethics Committee Won’t Recommend Punishment For Embattled NY Rep, Report Says
Santos Saga: Ethics Committee Won’t Recommend Punishment For Embattled NY Rep, Report Says After months of investigating embattled New York Rep. George Santos, the House Ethics Committee won’t recommend any punishment for the freshman lawmaker, ABC News reports. Instead, the ten-member committee, made up of five Republicans and five Democrats, will leave any disciplinary actions up to the House as a whole, Chair Michael Guest told the outlet. Santos, a Long Island Republican whose 3rd District includes parts of Nassau County and Queens, found himself in the committee’s sights in March 2023 after admitting that he lied about much of his background on the campaign trail. Earlier…
George Santos Campaign Staffer Admits Defrauding Donors By Impersonating Speaker's Aide George Santos Campaign Staffer Admits Defrauding Donors By Impersonating Speaker's Aide
George Santos Campaign Staffer Admits Defrauding Donors By Impersonating Speaker's Aide A campaign staffer who worked to elect New York Rep. George Santos has confessed to impersonating a high-level Congressional aide in order to raise money for him and line his own pockets. Samuel Miele, age 27, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in Central Islip federal court on Tuesday, Nov. 14. Miele was a fundraiser for Santos’ congressional campaigns in both 2020 and 2022, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District. Earlier Report: George Santos Pleads Not Guilty To 10 New Federal Charges; Here's When He'll Stand Trial Santos ran as a Republican and was elected to …
George Santos Dodges Expulsion From House: 'Victory For Due Process' George Santos Dodges Expulsion From House: 'Victory For Due Process'
George Santos Dodges Expulsion From House: 'Victory For Due Process' New York Rep. George Santos, who admitted to lying about his background and is facing nearly two dozen federal criminal charges, is claiming victory after an effort to expel him from Congress failed. The freshman Republican lawmaker from Long Island, whose 3rd District represents parts of Nassau County and Queens, easily survived a resolution brought by his fellow New York Republicans to oust Santos from the House on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The resolution failed with 179 members voting in favor and 213 voting against. Nineteen members voted “present.” Earlier Report: George Santos Pleads Not…
$10M Scheme: Westchester Man Nabbed For Selling Fraudulent Prescriptions, Feds Say $10M Scheme: Westchester Man Nabbed For Selling Fraudulent Prescriptions, Feds Say
$10M Scheme: Westchester Man Nabbed For Selling Fraudulent Prescriptions, Feds Say A 44-year-old Westchester man faces healthcare fraud charges after generating fake prescriptions and using them to bill Medicare for at least $10 million of false claims, federal officials announced. Pelham Manor resident Manishkumar Patel, age 44, was arrested on Tuesday morning, Oct. 31 in connection with a healthcare fraud and kickback scheme involving the sale of fake prescriptions, the US Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York announced.  According to federal officials, between 2019 and 2022, Patel and a co-conspirator would fraudulently sell the prescriptions an…
$1.5M Fraud: Hudson Valley Man Lied To Investors About Being Licensed Broker, Feds Say $1.5M Fraud: Hudson Valley Man Lied To Investors About Being Licensed Broker, Feds Say
$1.5M Fraud: Hudson Valley Man Lied To Investors About Being Licensed Broker, Feds Say A Hudson Valley man faces up to 20 years in prison for allegedly lying to investors that he was a licensed investment broker and making off with more than $1.5 million of his customer's cash.  Rockland County resident Jeffrey Tognetti Jr., age 26, of Piermont, was charged on Thursday, Aug. 31 with wire fraud, said Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. As alleged in public court proceedings in White Plains feral court, Tognetti ran a scheme that solicited and obtained funds from victims based on the misrepresentations that, among other things,…
'High Risk, High Reward': Santos Staffer Impersonated Speaker's Aide To Fundraise, Feds Say 'High Risk, High Reward': Santos Staffer Impersonated Speaker's Aide To Fundraise, Feds Say
'High Risk, High Reward': Santos Staffer Impersonated Speaker's Aide To Fundraise, Feds Say A campaign staffer who worked to elect New York Rep. George Santos impersonated a high-level Congressional aide in order to raise money for the then-aspiring lawmaker, a scheme that Santos was well aware of, federal prosecutors allege. Samuel Miele, age 27, is charged with wire fraud and identity theft as part of a five-count indictment that was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn on Wednesday, Aug. 16. Miele was a fundraiser for Santos’ congressional campaigns in both 2020 and 2022, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District. Earlier Report: Trio Of Schemes T…
$12M Fraud: NY Man Cons Developers Out Of Millions To Buy Luxury Cars, Yachts, Feds Say $12M Fraud: NY Man Cons Developers Out Of Millions To Buy Luxury Cars, Yachts, Feds Say
$12M Fraud: NY Man Cons Developers Out Of Millions To Buy Luxury Cars, Yachts, Feds Say A New York man is among two people facing federal charges for allegedly conning commercial developers out of millions of dollars to fund a lavish lifestyle. Long Island resident Joseph Malvasio, age 65, of Bridgehampton and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is named in an indictment unsealed by the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District on Thursday, Aug. 10. According to prosecutors, Malvasio conspired with 57-year-old Gregg Marcus, of Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, to run an advance-fee scheme through their business, Global Capital Partners Fund LLC. The duo falsely claimed that the company …