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US Attorney's Office

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…
Pot-Smoking NY Rioter Who Donned Fake Beard In Capitol Breach Gets 3 Years In Prison Pot-Smoking NY Rioter Who Donned Fake Beard In Capitol Breach Gets 3 Years In Prison
Pot-Smoking NY Rioter Who Donned Fake Beard In Capitol Breach Gets 3 Years In Prison A New York man who was photographed smoking marijuana inside a Senate office during the US Capitol breach on Jan. 6, 2021 will spend years in prison. Brandon Fellows, age 29, of Schenectady, was sentenced to 3 ½ years in federal lockup on Thursday, Feb. 29 after a Washington, DC jury found him guilty of obstructing an official proceeding, a felony. “His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the US Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election,” the US Attorney’s Office said. Earlier Report: Capitol Rioter F…
Naughty Nurse Practitioner In Capital Region Helped Friend Get Controlled Drugs, Feds Say Naughty Nurse Practitioner In Capital Region Helped Friend Get Controlled Drugs, Feds Say
Naughty Nurse Practitioner In Capital Region Helped Friend Get Controlled Drugs, Feds Say A nurse practitioner from the region is facing federal charges for allegedly helping a friend acquire controlled drugs. Albany County resident Christopher Viagrande, age 41, of Latham, is accused of distributing controlled substances outside the course of professional practice and with no legitimate medical purpose, according to a complaint filed in Albany federal court on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Prosecutors said Viagrande, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, prescribed amphetamine to someone who was never his patient on 40 occasions between May 2021 and December 2023. Amphetamines are stimulants t…
Capital Region Farmer Admits Blowing $1M In Relief Funds On New House, Personal Expenses Capital Region Farmer Admits Blowing $1M In Relief Funds On New House, Personal Expenses
Capital Region Farmer Admits Blowing $1M In Relief Funds On New House, Personal Expenses The money was supposed to go toward paying off his farm loan, but prosecutors say a man from the region blew nearly $1 million on personal expenses instead. Asjid Parvez, age 37, of Albany, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property in Albany federal court on Friday, Jan. 5. According to prosecutors, Parvez admitted to receiving a check for over $972,000 from the Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in May 2023. The funds were authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and are meant to assist borrowers who have fallen behind on their federally g…
Capitol Riot: NY Man Who Punched Cop, Stole Shield Sentenced To Federal Prison Capitol Riot: NY Man Who Punched Cop, Stole Shield Sentenced To Federal Prison
Capitol Riot: NY Man Who Punched Cop, Stole Shield Sentenced To Federal Prison A New York man will spend nearly three years in federal prison for assaulting a police officer while trying to breach the US Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. Jonathan Munafo, age 36, of Albany, was sentenced to 33 months behind bars in US District Court in Washington, DC on Friday, Sept. 22. “His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the US Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election,” reads a statement from the US Attorney’s Office. Related Report: 'No Regrets': Pot-Smoking Schenectady Man Donning Fak…
'No Regrets': Pot-Smoking NY Rioter Who Donned Fake Beard, Shield Guilty In Capitol Breach 'No Regrets': Pot-Smoking NY Rioter Who Donned Fake Beard, Shield Guilty In Capitol Breach
'No Regrets': Pot-Smoking NY Rioter Who Donned Fake Beard, Shield Guilty In Capitol Breach A New York man who was photographed smoking marijuana inside a Senate office during the breach of the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 has been convicted of multiple crimes for his actions that day. Jurors found Brandon Fellows, age 29, of Schenectady, guilty of felony obstructing an official proceeding and entering and remaining in a restricted building in federal court in Washington, DC on Thursday, Aug. 31. “His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the US Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election,” reads a state…
$200K Fraud: No Prison For Capital Region Man Who Laundered Illegal COVID-19 Benefits $200K Fraud: No Prison For Capital Region Man Who Laundered Illegal COVID-19 Benefits
$200K Fraud: No Prison For Capital Region Man Who Laundered Illegal Covid-19 Benefits A man from the region will avoid federal prison after admitting that he laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulently obtained COVID-19 relief benefits. Saratoga County resident Michael Smith, age 62, of the town of Saratoga, was sentenced to five years of probation in federal court in Albany on Monday, July 17. It came after he admitted to conspiring with a purported woman he met online and her purported attorney to launder over $200,000 in illegally obtained benefits between June 2020 and May 2022, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District. Using phony u…
$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…
FBI Probing Veteran's Claim That George Santos Stole Dying Dog's Charity Money, Report Says FBI Probing Veteran's Claim That George Santos Stole Dying Dog's Charity Money, Report Says
FBI Probing Veteran's Claim That George Santos Stole Dying Dog's Charity Money, Report Says The bad news just keeps coming for embattled New York Rep. George Santos, who is now the subject of an FBI investigation into accusations he stole charity money intended to help a Navy veteran’s dying service dog, Politico reports.  Richard Osthoff, of Howell, New Jersey, told the outlet that two FBI agents reached out to him on Wednesday, Feb. 1, as part of an investigation by the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York. Earlier Report: Bye George: Embattled Nassau Rep Santos Stepping Down 'Temporarily' From Committee Assignments Osthoff told Politico he gave the agents …
NY Man Admits To Opening Capitol Door, Directing Rioters Inside On Jan. 6 NY Man Admits To Opening Capitol Door, Directing Rioters Inside On Jan. 6
NY Man Admits To Opening Capitol Door, Directing Rioters Inside On Jan. 6 A New York man pleaded guilty to pulling open a door to the US Capitol Building to let rioters inside during the attack on the building on Jan. 6, 2021. Long Island resident Eric Gerwatowski, age 32, of New Hyde Park in Nassau County, admitted to opening the door after US Capitol Police had closed it to prevent more rioters from entering the building, according to an announcement by US Attorney Matthew M. Graves from Tuesday, Nov. 22. After opening the door, Gerwatowski turned to his fellow rioters, shouted "let's go!", and directed the mob into the building, disrupting a joi…
'Animal Abuse In Service Of Greed': Hudson Valley Duo Sentenced In Racehorse Doping Case 'Animal Abuse In Service Of Greed': Hudson Valley Duo Sentenced In Racehorse Doping Case
'Animal Abuse In Service Of Greed': Hudson Valley Duo Sentenced In Racehorse Doping Case A veterinarian and racehorse trainer from the Hudson Valley have received their sentences for their role in a racehorse doping scheme.  Orange County Veterinarian Louis Grasso, age 65, of Pine Bush, and trainer Richard Banca, age 47, of Middletown, were sentenced to 50 months in prison, and 30 months in prison, respectively, for producing, distributing, and administering performance-enhancing drugs as part of the doping case, according to an announcement by the US Attorney's Office from Wednesday, Nov. 16. A third man, 35-year-old trainer Rene Allard of Canada, was also sente…
Counterfeit Batteries Sold By NY Company To Defense Dept. Caused Military Equip. Failures: Feds Counterfeit Batteries Sold By NY Company To Defense Dept. Caused Military Equip. Failures: Feds
Counterfeit Batteries Sold By NY Company To Defense Dept. Caused Military Equip. Failures: Feds A New York military contractor will pay $75,000 to resolve allegations that it sold counterfeit batteries to the Department of Defense that later caused “military equipment failures.” With the payment, Industrial Equipment and Supply Company (IESC), located in Latham in Albany County, along with its principals, Mark and Sandra Nystoriak, settled allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act. According to the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District, IESC contracted to sell batteries to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), which manages the worldwide supply chain for the Dep…
NY Man Accused Of Smuggling Snakes In His Pants Into US From Canada NY Man Accused Of Smuggling Snakes In His Pants Into US From Canada
NY Man Accused Of Smuggling Snakes In His Pants Into US From Canada A 36-year-old man from New York is accused of smuggling three snakes in his pants across the United States-Canadian border. Calvin Bautista, a resident of Richmond Hill in Queens, was arraigned on Tuesday, Oct. 4, on an indictment charging him with smuggling three Burmese pythons into the United States at the Champlain Port of Entry, according to United States Attorney Carla Freedman. The US Attorney's Office said Bautista smuggled the snakes in his pants during a bus ride across the border. The charge filed against Bautista carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fin…
Ex-Yale Med School Worker Who Stole $40 Million In Electronics Sentenced Ex-Yale Med School Worker Who Stole $40 Million In Electronics Sentenced
Ex-Yale Med School Worker Who Stole $40 Million In Electronics Sentenced A former Yale University School of Medicine employee who stole $40 million in computer and electronic hardware from the university has been sentenced. Jamie Petrone, age 43, a former resident of Naugatuck, was sentenced on Thursday, Oct. 13, to nine years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for wire fraud and filing a false tax return, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. She pleaded guilty to the charges on March 28. Earlier report - Former Yale Med School Employee Admits Stealing, Selling $40 Million In Elec…
Georgia Men Accused Of Trafficking Dozens Of Handguns Into NY, Feds Say Georgia Men Accused Of Trafficking Dozens Of Handguns Into NY, Feds Say
Georgia Men Accused Of Trafficking Dozens Of Handguns Into NY, Feds Say Two Georgia men are facing federal charges for allegedly transporting dozens of handguns into New York, authorities said. Patrick Polidore, age 32, was arraigned in federal court on Long Island Wednesday, Sept. 28 in Central Islip on an 11-count indictment alleging that he and co-defendant Dennis Wolfolk, age 29, illegally brought 27 handguns into the state. Wolfolk is in federal custody in Georgia and will be brought to the Eastern District of New York for arraignment at a later date, according to the US Attorney's Office. Federal prosecutors said between October 2020 and January 2021,…
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…
21-Year-Old ‘All Around Great Guy’ From NY Charged For Alleged Role In Jan. 6 Riots 21-Year-Old ‘All Around Great Guy’ From NY Charged For Alleged Role In Jan. 6 Riots
21-Year-Old ‘All Around Great Guy’ From NY Charged For Alleged Role In Jan. 6 Riots A 21-year-old New York man is among the latest group of suspects facing charges for their alleged roles in breaching the US Capitol building on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Long Island’s Jon Lizak, of Cold Spring Harbor in Suffolk County, was arrested by federal investigators on Thursday, Sept. 15. Lizak and four other defendants illegally entered the Capitol as a group before moving through multiple corridors and rooms, including the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the US Attorney’s Office said. The group reportedly exited the building a half hour later. That’s when a 23-year-old ma…
New England Teacher On Leave After 8 Middle School Boys Keep Log Of His Alleged Harassment New England Teacher On Leave After 8 Middle School Boys Keep Log Of His Alleged Harassment
New England Teacher On Leave After 8 Middle School Boys Keep Log Of His Alleged Harassment A log of alleged harassment by their teacher dubbed the “Pedo Database” that was created by eight middle school boys in New England is now part of an official investigation into the teacher, The Boston Globe reports.  The Rhode Island teacher, who works at Davisville Middle School in North Kingstown, has been placed on administrative leave amid a probe into numerous claims of inappropriate behavior, including that he made female students dance for him, the outlet reports. One of the former students, now a 15-year-old high school student, told The Boston Globe that he and several other male…
Ex-Cop From Hudson Valley Gets Record Jan. 6 Riot Sentence For Assaulting Officer With Weapon Ex-Cop From Hudson Valley Gets Record Jan. 6 Riot Sentence For Assaulting Officer With Weapon
Ex-Cop From Hudson Valley Gets Record Jan. 6 Riot Sentence For Assaulting Officer With Weapon A retired NYPD officer from the Hudson Valley received the longest prison sentence to date among those convicted of taking part in riots at the US Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Orange County resident Thomas Webster, age 56, of the village of Florida, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison Thursday, Sept. 1, after a jury convicted him of assaulting a Washington, DC police officer with a deadly weapon. In May 2022, the jury found him guilty of five felonies and one misdemeanor for his actions during the Capitol breach. Earlier Report: Ex-Cop From Orange County Convicte…
Man Who Attacked NY GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Lee Zeldin Now Being Held On Federal Charge Man Who Attacked NY GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Lee Zeldin Now Being Held On Federal Charge
Man Who Attacked NY GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Lee Zeldin Now Being Held On Federal Charge A 43-year-old man was arrested on a federal charge for attacking the New York gubernatorial candidate during a campaign event in western New York. David Jakubonis, a resident of Fairpoint, was charged with assaulting a member of Congress using a dangerous weapon for the incident involving New York Congressman Lee Zeldin, a Republican candidate for governor, according to a report from United States Attorney for the Western District Trini Ross on Saturday, July 23. The incident happened at an event on Thursday, July 21, in the Monroe County town of Perinton, Assistant US Attorney Brett Harvey…
COVID-19: Capital District Woman Admits To Pandemic Relief Fraud COVID-19: Capital District Woman Admits To Pandemic Relief Fraud
Covid-19: Capital District Woman Admits To Pandemic Relief Fraud A woman from the Capital District is facing years in prison after admitting that she took advantage of loan programs meant to help businesses struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Debra Hackstadt, age 67, of Albany, pleaded guilty Thursday, May 19, to fraudulently obtaining 32 government-backed loans, according to the US Attorney’s Office. The loans were issued to Hackstadt herself, various friends and relatives, and several companies that she controlled, prosecutors said. In all, investigators said she received more than $1.6 million between April 2020 and June 2021 through two separat…
Company Agrees To Pay $2.8M To Resolve Fraud Allegations In Two States, Including NY Company Agrees To Pay $2.8M To Resolve Fraud Allegations In Two States, Including NY
Company Agrees To Pay $2.8M To Resolve Fraud Allegations In Two States, Including NY A construction company will pay nearly $3 million to resolve allegations that it illegally manipulated a federal subcontract meant for small businesses owned by disabled veterans. Colorado-based Hensel Phelps Construction performs large scale private construction and public works projects across the US, including in New York. In 2011, the company was awarded a federal contract to build the Armed Forces Retirement Home’s New Commons and Healthcare Center in Washington, D.C., the US Attorney’s Office said. The organization provides retirement communities and residential facilities for veter…
Man Accused Of Traveling To NY To Meet Minor For Sex, Feds Say Man Accused Of Traveling To NY To Meet Minor For Sex, Feds Say
Man Accused Of Traveling To NY To Meet Minor For Sex, Feds Say A New England man has been accused of traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, federal authorities in New York announced. Martin Connearney, age 32, of Lenox, Massachusetts, in Berkshire County, was arrested Thursday, May 5 and charged with traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, the Department of Justice's US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York and the FBI's Albany Field Office announced. The criminal complaint alleges that between Wednesday, April 6, 2022 and Wednes…
Doctor From Capital District Admits To Filing False Tax Returns Doctor From Capital District Admits To Filing False Tax Returns
Doctor From Capital District Admits To Filing False Tax Returns A doctor from the Capital District is facing prison time after admitting to filing false tax returns, the US Attorney’s Office said. Ehab Kodsi, age 56, of Watervliet, pleaded guilty to the charge Wednesday, May 4, in Albany federal court. Prosecutors said between 2015 and 2018, Kodsi underreported revenue from both his pain management clinic in Queensbury, in Warren County, and his real estate company. He was also accused of improperly deducting personal and business expenses. “Kodsi did not report income received from third parties reimbursing services provided by his pain management cl…
29-Year-Old From Region Sentenced For Distributing, Receiving Child Porn Images, Videos 29-Year-Old From Region Sentenced For Distributing, Receiving Child Porn Images, Videos
29-Year-Old From Region Sentenced For Distributing, Receiving Child Porn Images, Videos A man from the region will spend the next decade in federal prison for possessing child pornography. Ulster County resident Anthony Hadden, age 29, of Modena, was sentenced Friday, April 29 to 121 months behind bars after pleading guilty to possessing, distributing, receiving, and transporting child pornography, the US Attorney’s Office said. Federal prosecutors said Hadden admitted to using a group messaging app on his phone to send and receive the material. His phone also contained numerous images and videos showing minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, prosecutors said. Followin…
Postal Worker Admits To Stealing Mail In Albany Postal Worker Admits To Stealing Mail In Albany
Postal Worker Admits To Stealing Mail In Albany A former postal worker in the Capital District has admitted to stealing money from packages while on the job. Federal prosecutors said Otilio Millan III, age 33, of Broadalbin, in Fulton County, confessed to swiping gift cards and cash from numerous packages while employed as a mail clerk. The thefts occurred between December 2020 and November 2021 at post offices around Albany, the US Attorney’s Office said. Among the locations were the Terminal Street Station and the Stuyvesant Plaza Station. Millan pleaded guilty Wednesday, May 4, to mail theft. He now faces up to five years in prison.…
Capital District Felon Admits To Illegally Possessing Gun While Live-Streaming Capital District Felon Admits To Illegally Possessing Gun While Live-Streaming
Capital District Felon Admits To Illegally Possessing Gun While Live-Streaming A Capital District man is facing years behind bars after admitting to illegally possessing a loaded gun while live-streaming on social media. Thomas Hendricks Jr., age 40, of Schenectady, pleaded guilty Tuesday, May 3, to illegally possessing the loaded pistol as a felon, the US Attorney’s Office said. Federal prosecutors said he admitted to brandishing the 9mm semi-automatic pistol during a live stream session on his Facebook account in June 2021. He also admitted to having the same loaded gun inside his Schenectady home when it was discovered by police a week later, prosecutors said. He…
Capital District Man Sentenced After Admitting To Selling Meth Capital District Man Sentenced After Admitting To Selling Meth
Capital District Man Sentenced After Admitting To Selling Meth A Capital District man will spend more than six years in federal prison after admitting to selling methamphetamine. James King, age 33, of Schenectady, was sentenced to 78 months behind bars Thursday, April 28, after pleading guilty to possessing and intending to distribute meth, the US Attorney’s Office said. King told investigators that between February and March 2021, he sold meth twice and possessed the drug with intent to distribute in March 2021, prosecutors said. Altogether, he admitted to selling more than 150 grams of meth. Once King is released from prison, he will have to compl…