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$145M Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Known As 'Magician' Admits To One Of Largest Ever Frauds
A Northern Westchester man who earned the nickname “The Magician” for his ability to slash tax bills has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a massive $145 million fraud scheme that spanned a decade, federal officials announced.
Rafael Alvarez, age 61, of Cortlandt Manor, entered the plea in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, Dec. 17, after being charged with conspiracy to defraud the US and aiding the preparation of false tax returns, according to Edward Y. Kim, Acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Alvarez, the CEO and owner of ATAX, a Bronx-based tax preparation bu…
$4.4M Medicaid Fraud Scheme: Five Plead Guilty, NY AG Says
Five Hudson Valley and Capital Region residents and seven transportation companies have admitted to stealing millions from Medicaid.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Thursday, Dec. 5, that five have pleaded guilty to stealing more than $4.4 million from New York’s Medicaid program through fake billing, illegal kickbacks, and engaging in money laundering and other fraudulent schemes to conceal their crimes.
Muhammad Rizwan Khan, 38, Muhammad Usman Khan, 40, and Farhan Khan, 29, all of Orange County, and their related companies pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Or…
Hudson Valley Fire Company Financial Secretary Admits Stealing $17K, DA Says
A financial secretary for a fire company in the region has admitted to stealing more than $17,000 from the department.
Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced on Friday, Nov. 1, that Lynn T. Simpson, age 43, of Wallkill, pled guilty to grand larceny in the Third Degree in connection with the theft of $17,947 from the parade fund of the Washington Heights Fire Company in Middletown.
As part of the plea agreement, Simpson will repay all the stolen money, Hoovler said.
The department was scheduled to host a parade in September 2023, which includ…
$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…
Ex-Controller Who Stole $340K From Hudson Valley 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, …
$280K Scam: Father, Daughter Accused Of Stealing From Hudson Valley Woman
A man and daughter have been accused of stealing over $280,000 from a Hudson Valley resident.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Tuesday, Aug. 13, the indictments and arrests of Ulster County residents Frank Whittaker, age 56, of Kingston, and his daughter Christine Ellsworth, age 38, of Accord, for allegedly stealing more than $280,000 from a vulnerable elderly victim.
After earning the trust of the victim, an Ulster County resident, by providing lawn maintenance and assisting with household tasks, Whittaker and Ellsworth gained access to the then-92-year-old’s checkbook …
NY Woman Stole Over $1M From Elderly Man To Pay Off Boyfriend’s Debts, Police Say
A New York woman is accused of stealing more than $1 million from an elderly man who entrusted her with his finances.
Fulton County resident Gladys Griffith, age 49, of Perth, was arrested Thursday, Oct. 6, following an investigation by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.
The first signs of potential wrongdoing surfaced in July 2022, when deputies were asked to do a welfare check on the victim following several suspicious transfers and withdrawals from his bank account, police said.
That triggered a joint investigation consisting of several agencies, including the sheriff’s office, New Yo…
Hudson Valley Man Charged With Stealing $165K In Investment Scam, Police Say
A Hudson Valley man has been charged with grand larceny for allegedly stealing more than $165,000 from investors while working for an investment company.
Dutchess County resident Todd Sims, age 49, of LaGrange, was arrested on Tuesday, March 29, by New York State Police in collaboration with the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office.
An investigation determined Sims stole more than $165,000 using an investment company business under the name of Horizon Holdings NY, said Trooper AJ Hicks.
Additionally, Sims was previously arrested in October of 2021 for grand larceny relative to a simi…
