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Audrey Strauss

Trump Names Ex-SEC Chief To Replace Damian Williams As SDNY's Top Prosecutor Trump Names Ex-SEC Chief To Replace Damian Williams As SDNY's Top Prosecutor
Trump Names Ex-sec Chief To Replace Damian Williams As Sdny's Top Prosecutor President-elect Donald Trump is looking to replace Damian Williams, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, with a familiar face from his previous administration who hails from Pennsylvania.  Trump announced on Thursday, Nov. 14 that he would nominate Jay Clayton, who has no experience as a criminal prosecutor, to be the next US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.  Clayton, age 58, previously served as Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission from May 2017 to December 2020, a role in which Trump wrote he "did an incredible job." Before that, he…
Former NY CEO Sentenced For Bribery Scheme Former NY CEO Sentenced For Bribery Scheme
Former NY CEO Sentenced For Bribery Scheme A New York man who was a CEO for a company in the region will spend time behind bars for his role in a multi-million dollar bribery scheme. Long Island resident Alan Kaufman, age 62, of Jericho, the former CEO of the now-defunct Melrose Credit Union, has been sentenced to 46 months in prison after being convicted in a scheme with Long Island businessman Tony Georgiton. US Attorney Audrey Strauss said that Kaufman accepted free housing and hundreds of thousands of dollars in financing for the purchase of his personal residence, after approving millions of dollars in loans to Georgiton’s comp…
Six Physical Therapists, Two Acupuncturists Charged In $20M Fraud Scheme, SDNY Says Six Physical Therapists, Two Acupuncturists Charged In $20M Fraud Scheme, SDNY Says
Six Physical Therapists, Two Acupuncturists Charged In $20M Fraud Scheme, Sdny Says Six physical therapists and a pair of acupuncturists in New York are facing charges for their roles in a $20 million health care fraud scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic. US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Audrey Strauss announced that nine suspects have been indicted for operating an over $20 million health care fraud scheme at fraudulent medical offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. It is alleged that as part of the fraud scheme, co-conspirators paid a kickback to some patients who were insured by Medicare and other insurance providers to fraudulently bill them for p…
Ex-BF Sentenced For Kidnapping Of NY Woman Found Dead In Suitcase Ex-BF Sentenced For Kidnapping Of NY Woman Found Dead In Suitcase
Ex-BF Sentenced For Kidnapping Of NY Woman Found Dead In Suitcase The ex-boyfriend of a 24-year-old Westchester, NY woman whose body was found dead in a suitcase in Connecticut has been sentenced to decades behind bars for his role in her 2019 kidnapping. Javier Enrique Da Silva Rojas, age 25, of Queens, pleaded guilty in White Plains federal court to kidnapping Valerie Reyes in New Rochelle and illegally transporting her to Fairfield County, where her body was found in a suitcase a week later in Greenwich. US Attorney Audrey Strauss announced that Rojas has been sentenced to 360 months in prison following his guilty plea in February last year. He was als…
Westchester Man Accused Of Running Drug Deliveries That Led To Fatal ODs Westchester Man Accused Of Running Drug Deliveries That Led To Fatal ODs
Westchester Man Accused Of Running Drug Deliveries That Led To Fatal ODs Two men operating a narcotics delivery business in downstate New York, including one from Westchester, have been arrested for their roles in running the service, which led to multiple fatal drug overdoses. Yonkers resident Jose Luis Tejada Aybar, age 39, and Allen Alexis Abisada Guzman, age 40, of the Bronx were charged with narcotics conspiracy following three fatal overdoses directly tied to their delivery service. Manhattan US Attorney Audrey Strauss said that it is alleged that Tejada and Abisada’s business resulted in the death of Marsha Clarke in the Bronx, and Martin Banks and Edwar…
Biden Nominates Longtime Lawyer To Serve As US Attorney for the Southern District of NY Biden Nominates Longtime Lawyer To Serve As US Attorney for the Southern District of NY
Biden Nominates Longtime Lawyer To Serve As US Attorney for the Southern District of NY President Joe Biden has nominated Damian Williams to serve as the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, one of the most high-profile federal positions. Williams, age 40, has been an Assistant United States Attorney for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York since 2012, serving as its Chief of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. The Southern District includes Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester County, and other northern suburbs. If approved, Williams would be the first African American to serve as the leader of the Manhattan prose…
Baseball Coach Charged With Coercion, Enticement Of Minor In Westchester Baseball Coach Charged With Coercion, Enticement Of Minor In Westchester
Baseball Coach Charged With Coercion, Enticement Of Minor In Westchester A baseball coach in Westchester is facing charges for allegedly enticing and coercing a 16-year-old former player into sexual activity, federal officials announced. Robert Pope, age 30, the owner and head coach of Mount Vernon Baseball, an independent organization, was arrested following an investigation into allegations of him having improper contact with a minor. U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said that between Sept. 1, 2020, through April 11 this year, Pope allegedly communicated with his teen victim through his cellphone and persuaded him to meet him at a location in Westchester on multi…
MOTEL MURDER: Dealer Convicted Of Cold-Blooded Killing At 'Sensual' Route 1 Getaway MOTEL MURDER: Dealer Convicted Of Cold-Blooded Killing At 'Sensual' Route 1 Getaway
Motel Murder: Dealer Convicted Of Cold-Blooded Killing At 'Sensual' Route 1 Getaway A holdup that left a victim shot dead at a Route 1 couples motel in Woodbridge led to the murder conviction of a Bronx man who federal prosecutors said planned the robbery, supplied the gun and pocketed some of the proceeds. Jurors in lower Manhattan last week found Kasheen “Kash” Samuels, 34, guilty of the felony murder of Andrew Torres, as well as other robbery-related charges, following a nine-day trial, said Audrey Strauss, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. Torres, 21, was pronounced dead a little over a half-hour after police responded to the Loop Inn Motel on Ju…
Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking Young Girls, Including From Westchester Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking Young Girls, Including From Westchester
Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking Young Girls, Including From Westchester A New York man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the sex trafficking of minors that included girls from a Westchester County residential treatment facility. Hurbert Dupigny, of Brooklyn, was sentenced on Thursday, June 24, after being found guilty in a jury trial last year, said Audrey Strauss, U.S. States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.  “Dupigny victimized and violently abused, some of the most vulnerable members of our society for his own financial gain," Strauss said. "His predatory conduct irreparably damaged the lives of his victims." From at least August …
Jersey Shore Contractor Gets 19 Months In Fed Pen For Ducking $1M In Taxes Jersey Shore Contractor Gets 19 Months In Fed Pen For Ducking $1M In Taxes
Jersey Shore Contractor Gets 19 Months In Fed Pen For Ducking $1M In Taxes A Jersey Shore man was sent to federal prison for 19 months for dodging nearly $1 million in taxes at his Manhattan construction company. Bilal Salaj, 55, of the Morganville section of Marlboro, will have to serve out nearly the entire term because there’s no parole in the federal prison system. Salaj admitted in U.S. District Court in Manhattan last October that he avoided the payroll and personal income taxes for five years, in part, by putting the company in an associate’s name and paying workers under the table. The cash came from $3.2 million in business checks that should’ve gone int…
Hudson Valley Man Charged In Home Invasion, Gas Station Armed Robberies, Police Say Hudson Valley Man Charged In Home Invasion, Gas Station Armed Robberies, Police Say
Hudson Valley Man Charged In Home Invasion, Gas Station Armed Robberies, Police Say A 20-year-old man has been charged for his participation in a string of armed home invasion and gas station robberies. Orange County resident Tishaawn Woods, of Newburgh, was apprehended in Orange, New Jersey, on Thursday, April 8, and charged with the crimes that took place in around the city of Newburgh, said Audrey Strauss, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. According to the allegations in the complaint in the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 17, Woods and an accomplice armed with handguns, burst inside an apartment in Newburgh, where they robbed and sho…
Mother, Daughter In Westchester Charged In $1.6M COVID-19 Relief Scheme Mother, Daughter In Westchester Charged In $1.6M COVID-19 Relief Scheme
Mother, Daughter In Westchester Charged In $1.6M Covid-19 Relief Scheme A Mount Vernon city employee, her daughter, and a former resident are facing charges for allegedly taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to bilk the government out of more than $1.6 million in loans earmarked for small businesses and then accepting kickbacks. Andrea Ayers, a civilian employee of the Mount Vernon Police Department, and her daughter, Alicia Ayers, who operates a travel agency were arrested in the city on Tuesday, March 23 for allegedly submitting applications for more than 300 people to claim federal loans for businesses that did not qualify for. A third suspect, Traci Pr…
Sports Hall Of Famer Identified As Man Accused Of Possessing Child Porn Videos, Images Sports Hall Of Famer Identified As Man Accused Of Possessing Child Porn Videos, Images
Sports Hall Of Famer Identified As Man Accused Of Possessing Child Porn Videos, Images A Northern Westchester man accused of receiving and possessing videos and images containing child porn has been identified as a retired teacher and sports fixture in the area. Richard Leaf, age 72, of Somers, was arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 23, following an investigation by the FBI, said Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017, Leaf, a Scarsdale High School graduate who was a social studies teacher in the Harrison School District, has been the announcer for the Section 1 boys and girls basketball tournaments for…
Northern Westchester Man Accused Of Possessing Child Porn Videos, Images Northern Westchester Man Accused Of Possessing Child Porn Videos, Images
Northern Westchester Man Accused Of Possessing Child Porn Videos, Images Updated story: Sports Hall Of Famer Identified As Man Accused Of Possessing Child Porn Videos, Images A Northern Westchester retired teacher and sports fixture in the area has been accused of receiving and possessing videos and images containing child porn, federal authorities announced. Richard Leaf, age 72, of Somers, was arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 23, following an investigation by the FBI, said Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. According to the allegations contained in court papers between March 2019 and April 2020, Leaf, who is in the…
Hudson Valley Entrepreneur Accused Of Defrauding Investors Of Nearly $1 Million Hudson Valley Entrepreneur Accused Of Defrauding Investors Of Nearly $1 Million
Hudson Valley Entrepreneur Accused Of Defrauding Investors Of Nearly $1 Million An entrepreneur from the Hudson Valley has been accused by federal authorities of defrauding investors of nearly $1 million. Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the FBI announced that Joseph Cimino, the founder of an Orange County-based tequila company, was arrested Tuesday morning, Feb. 17, and charged with securities fraud and wire fraud arising out of his fraudulent solicitation of investments for the company.  Cimino is scheduled to appear in Wh…
NY Hedge Fund Founder Admits To Fraud In Connection With Neiman Marcus Bankruptcy NY Hedge Fund Founder Admits To Fraud In Connection With Neiman Marcus Bankruptcy
NY Hedge Fund Founder Admits To Fraud In Connection With Neiman Marcus Bankruptcy A hedge fund founder admitted to bankruptcy fraud for abusing his position on a Neiman Marcus Group Inc. bankruptcy committee to purchase securities at a deflated price. Nassau County resident Daniel Kamensky, of Roslyn, the founder of the New York-based hedge fund Marble Ridge Capital pleaded guilty to pressuring a rival bidder to abandon its higher bid for assets in connection with Neiman Marcus’s bankruptcy proceedings. U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said that Kamensky was the principal of Marble Ridgewhich had assets under management of more than $1 billion that invested in secu…
Owner Of Hudson Valley Tax Preparation Business Admits To Scam IRS Of $500K Owner Of Hudson Valley Tax Preparation Business Admits To Scam IRS Of $500K
Owner Of Hudson Valley Tax Preparation Business Admits To Scam IRS Of $500K A Hudson Valley tax preparer and the owner of Eversley Tax has been sentenced to six months in prison for preparing false and fraudulent income tax returns. Eversley Barrett, of New Windsor, was sentenced on Friday, Jan. 29, to prison time after pleading guilty to 16 counts of an 84-count indictment, said Audrey Strauss, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. “Eversley Barrett abused his position of trust as a tax preparer by filing false tax returns on behalf of his clients and himself," said Strauss. "He caused over half a million dollars in losses to the IRS, all for hi…
Comptroller From Long Island Admits To Embezzling $1.3M From Company Comptroller From Long Island Admits To Embezzling $1.3M From Company
Comptroller From Long Island Admits To Embezzling $1.3M From Company A Long Island man has admitted to wire fraud for his role in a years-long scheme to embezzle approximately $1.3 million from a financial publishing company where he was then employed as comptroller, federal authorities have announced. Eric Ian Whitehead, 53, of Smithtown, used wire transfers and cash deposits from the company to benefit himself without authorization from the company, Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced Tuesday, Dec. 22. “As he admitted in court today, Eric Ian Whitehead exploited his position of trust …
COVID-19: LI Duo Nabbed For $13M Fraud Scheme To Get Loans Intended To Help Small Businesses COVID-19: LI Duo Nabbed For $13M Fraud Scheme To Get Loans Intended To Help Small Businesses
Covid-19: LI Duo Nabbed For $13M Fraud Scheme To Get Loans Intended To Help Small Businesses A pair of men facing charges for an alleged human smuggling operation and a third woman - two of whom are from Long Island - are being accused of allegedly stealing millions of dollars that were earmarked for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Related story - Long Island Man Accused Of Smuggling Vietnamese Nationals To Work At Nail Salons Hicksville residents Ngoc Manh Nguyen, Victoria Dieuy Ho, and Bronx resident Dat Tat Ho have been arrested and charged for allegedly stealing more than $13 million in federal funding that was designated for small business owners from the g…
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…
Four From Long Island Among Five Current/Former MTA Employees Charged With Overtime Fraud Four From Long Island Among Five Current/Former MTA Employees Charged With Overtime Fraud
Four From Long Island Among Five Current/Former MTA Employees Charged With Overtime Fraud Five former and current MTA employees - four of whom are from Long Island - are facing charges for an alleged elaborate overtime fraud scheme that reportedly net them more than $1 million. Federal prosecutors charged “MTA Overtime King” Thomas Caputo, a Holbrook resident, and four others on Thursday, Dec. 3 for an “extraordinary” scheme that saw all five being paid while at home, on vacation, or doing other things besides being on the job. Along with Caputo, Levittown resident Joseph Ruzzo, Rocky Point resident John Nugent, Blue Point resident Joseph Balestra, and Manalapan, N.J. resident M…
COVID-19: Feds Sue Airmont For Religious Discrimination Against Orthodox Jewish Residents COVID-19: Feds Sue Airmont For Religious Discrimination Against Orthodox Jewish Residents
Covid-19: Feds Sue Airmont For Religious Discrimination Against Orthodox Jewish Residents A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Village of Airmont to "rectify," the village's alleged effort to discriminate against its Orthodox Jewish community. Audrey Strauss, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, filed the suit on Wednesday, Dec. 2, claiming the village is preventing the community from its ability to worship and run schools. As alleged in the complaint, Strauss said Airmont has violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act by imposing land use and zoning provisions that, among other things, restrict Orthodox Jewish residents’…
Four Charged With Crack Cocaine Distribution In Northern Westchester Four Charged With Crack Cocaine Distribution In Northern Westchester
Four Charged With Crack Cocaine Distribution In Northern Westchester Four men have been arrested in connection with running a crack cocaine distribution ring in Northern Westchester County. According to Audrey Strauss, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, the men, Jordan Campbell, Derrick Dickey, Terrance Patterson, and Johnnie Thomas, were arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 2. As alleged in the indictment unsealed in White Plains federal court, the four conspired to distribute at least 280 grams or more of crack cocaine between March 2020 and August 2020. Each faces a maximum term of life in prison and a mandatory minimum term of 10 ye…
'Gorilla Stone' Gang Members Indicted, Including One Wanted For Poughkeepsie Murder 'Gorilla Stone' Gang Members Indicted, Including One Wanted For Poughkeepsie Murder
'Gorilla Stone' Gang Members Indicted, Including One Wanted For Poughkeepsie Murder Nearly 20 of the “Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation” gang were indicted on numerous charges including the murder of a Poughkeepsie teen. On Tuesday, Dec.. 1, Audrey Strauss, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced a 16-Count indictment charging 18 members of the gang, known commonly as “Gorilla Stone," with committing crimes ranging from racketeering, murder, narcotics, firearms and fraud offenses. One of the main defendants, included Brandon Soto, aka, "Stacks, who is charged in connection with the Monday, Sept. 21, murder of a 15-year-old in Poug…
NY Restaurateur Sentenced For Tax Evasion Scheme NY Restaurateur Sentenced For Tax Evasion Scheme
NY Restaurateur Sentenced For Tax Evasion Scheme A Manhattan restaurateur from Long Island will spend time behind bars after he admitted to a near million dollar tax evasion scheme. Nassau County resident Adel Kellel, 63, of New Hyde Park, the former owners of Raffles Bistro in New York City, has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty in Manhattan federal court earlier this year to a $771,195 scheme, acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said. In addition to his prison term, Kellel was also ordered to pay $613,478 in restitution to the IRS and $157,717 to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Strauss s…
Feds Charge Pair In Luxury-Watch Robbery Spree Involving Kardashian BFF Feds Charge Pair In Luxury-Watch Robbery Spree Involving Kardashian BFF
Feds Charge Pair In Luxury-Watch Robbery Spree Involving Kardashian BFF Federal authorities have captured two men wanted for robbing luxury watches at gunpoint from, among others, a close reality-TV friend of Kim Kardashian’s known as "Foodgod" in Englewood Cliffs. Victor Rivera, 29, and Michols Pena, 38, were identified and captured with significant help from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, said Audrey Strauss, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Strauss also thanked police from Englewood Cliffs, Weehawken and Nassau County for their assistance. Rivera, who was captured in Miami, is accused of robbing Jonathan Cheban of a $2…
Westchester Tutor Charged With Sexually Exploiting Minor, Transporting Child Porn Westchester Tutor Charged With Sexually Exploiting Minor, Transporting Child Porn
Westchester Tutor Charged With Sexually Exploiting Minor, Transporting Child Porn A tutor from Westchester is facing charges for allegedly sexually exploiting a minor he was teaching, recording it on his phone, and transporting child pornography to and from Fairfield County. Tuckahoe resident John Mueser was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 19 and charged with sexual exploitation of a 7-year-old minor and with transporting child pornography. Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said that on May 1 last year, Mueser induced a 7-year-old he was tutoring to engage in sexually explicit conduct, using his iPhone to record it and then transported the images from Fairfield County to W…
Man Sentenced For Sexual Enticement Of Minor In Area Man Sentenced For Sexual Enticement Of Minor In Area
Man Sentenced For Sexual Enticement Of Minor In Area An out-of-state man was sentenced to 25 years in prison and lifetime supervision for enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity in the area. James Early, 40, of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on Wednesday, Nov. 18, said Audrey Strauss, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. The sentencing followed Early's guilty plea on November 13, 2019.  “This case underlines the urgent need for law enforcement to continue its efforts to protect children from those who prey on them," said Strauss. "As today’s sentencing underscores, we will continue…
Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Running $5M Ponzi Scheme Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Running $5M Ponzi Scheme
Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Running $5M Ponzi Scheme A Fairfield County man has been sentenced to 42 months in prison in connection with his years-long Ponzi scheme to defraud customers of nearly $5 million. James T. Booth, 75, of Norwalk, was sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court on Tuesday, Nov. 17, Audrey Strauss, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York said. Booth, who ran Booth Financial Associates, pleaded guilty in October 2019 to the crimes. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Booth ripped off clients of nearly $5 million through a variety of lies and misrepresentations.  “Today, James T. Booth was se…
Duo Charged For Murder Of 21-Year-Old In Westchester Duo Charged For Murder Of 21-Year-Old In Westchester
Duo Charged For Murder Of 21-Year-Old In Westchester A pair of men already serving prison time have been indicted in the murder of a Westchester man. Marcus Chambers, 29, aka “Chino,” “Chi D,” and “SP,” and Darnell Kidd, 29, aka “Black,” “Donney,” and “Donney Black,”  were indicted on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with the murder of Jonathan Johnson, 21, on March 18, 2011, in White Plains, said Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Both men are currently serving prison sentences from prior federal convictions and will be brought to the federal courthouse in White Plains at a later date to be present…
Jersey Shore Construction Contractor Admits Ducking Nearly $1,000,000 In Taxes Jersey Shore Construction Contractor Admits Ducking Nearly $1,000,000 In Taxes
Jersey Shore Construction Contractor Admits Ducking Nearly $1,000,000 In Taxes A Jersey Shore businessman admitted in federal court that he ducked more than $952,778 in payroll and personal income taxes by putting his Manhattan construction company in an associate’s name, paying workers in cash and hiding the scheme from his accountant. Bilal Salaj, 55, of Morganville admitted in U.S. District Court downtown that he “continued to hold principal control and decision-making authority over the business and its financial affairs” of the business after changing ownership in July 2014, Southern District of New York Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said. That included con…