Tag:

Fraud

Former Congressional Candidate From Mount Vernon Gets Years In Prison For Fraud Former Congressional Candidate From Mount Vernon Gets Years In Prison For Fraud
Former Congressional Candidate From Mount Vernon Gets Years In Prison For Fraud A former congressional candidate from Westchester who once held several leadership positions in county and city government will spend several years in prison for stealing restaurant workers' wages and using them for himself.  Mount Vernon resident Derickson Lawrence, age 67, who unsuccessfully ran as a Democrat to represent New York's 16th Congressional District in 2018 and 2016, was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison for defrauding his payroll company's client and a COVID-19 relief program, according to court documents.  Lawrence had been the chief…
$50K Fraud: Ex-Employee In Troy Used Company Credit Card For Over Year, Police Say $50K Fraud: Ex-Employee In Troy Used Company Credit Card For Over Year, Police Say
$50K Fraud: Ex-Employee In Troy Used Company Credit Card For Over Year, Police Say A Capital Region woman has been charged with alleged grand larceny for using a company credit for personal items. Rensselaer County resident Kimberly A. Neumann, age 53, of Troy, was arrested on Wednesday, Oct. 23. According to New York State Trooper Stephanie O'Neil, an investigation determined that Neumann worked for the company and allegedly used the company's corporate credit card to make purchases unrelated to the business's needs from the summer of 2023 until the summer of 2024 without permission or authorization.  O'Neil said these purchases were reportedly for Neumann's g…
Know Him? Man Wanted For Scamming Victim Out Of Thousands In Coram, Police Say Know Him? Man Wanted For Scamming Victim Out Of Thousands In Coram, Police Say
Know Him? Man Wanted For Scamming Victim Out Of Thousands In Coram, Police Say Do you know him? Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a wanted man who allegedly scammed a Long Island resident out of thousands. The man posted a house for rent on social media that was not available and  received $3,900 from the victim in Coram on Saturday, June 1 at approximately 9 a.m., according to police. Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. If you have any information regarding these incidents, please rea…
Sag Harbor Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say Sag Harbor Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say
Sag Harbor Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say A months-long investigation has led to the arrest of a man who authorities say impersonated a federal agent and used fear and intimidation to convince a Long Island victim to hand over money. On Friday, Oct. 25, the suspect, Om Parkash, age 31, of Queens, was charged with second-degree grand larceny (a Class C felony). In late July of 2023, Parkash contacted the victim in Sag Harbor stating she was involved in a fraud scheme involving large amounts of money, according to New York State Police.  From there, Parkash advised the victim she would have to give money to “federal a…
Owner of Ambler Italian Restaurant Gets Prison Time For Defrauding COVID Programs: Authorities Owner of Ambler Italian Restaurant Gets Prison Time For Defrauding COVID Programs: Authorities
Owner of Ambler Italian Restaurant Gets Prison Time For Defrauding COVID Programs: Authorities The owner of a Montgomery County Italian restaurant is getting prison time for defrauding several federal COVID-19 relief programs, authorities said. Giuseppina “Josephine” Leone, 62, of North Wales, was sentenced to 21 months in prison and one year of supervised release on Tuesday, Oct. 22, the US Department of Justice said in a news release. She must also pay a $50,000 fine and a $300 special assessment for pandemic program fraud, the news release states. Leone has also paid full restitution in the amount of $972,861. Her request for a sentence involving an alternative to jail time was de…
Monroe Business Admits To $2.1 Million Medicaid Fraud, AG Says Monroe Business Admits To $2.1 Million Medicaid Fraud, AG Says
Monroe Business Admits To $2.1 Million Medicaid Fraud, AG Says A Hudson Valley business and three employees admitted stealing more than $2.1 million from Medicaid by submitting fake claims for service. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Tuesday, Oct. 22, that the Orange County owners of DYD Universe, a New York Medicaid-enrolled transportation company, have pleaded guilty for their roles in a scheme that stole more than $2.1 million from Medicaid and paid illegal kickbacks to Medicaid recipients.  According to James, Damir Yuldashev, age 64, his son Daler Yuldashev, age 38, and Daler’s mother, Nigina Iskandarova, age 60, all of Monr…
Stamford Woman Swindled $300K From State Medicaid Over 2 Years: Police Stamford Woman Swindled $300K From State Medicaid Over 2 Years: Police
Stamford Woman Swindled $300K From State Medicaid Over 2 Years: Police A 59-year-old Connecticut woman faces decades in prison after state investigators claim she stole more than $300,000 from Medicaid by submitting false claims and changing patient's medical records.  Iselande Desyr, of Stamford in Fairfield County, is charged with one count each of health insurance fraud and larceny in the first degree by defrauding the public community, the state's Division of Criminal Justice said.  Desyr was the owner of Holistic Psychiatric Services, LLC, which claims to treat a variety of disorders in children and adults with holistic means on its website…
Wolcott Women Claimed Elite Hackers Made Her Life A Nightmare, But She Did It All: Police Wolcott Women Claimed Elite Hackers Made Her Life A Nightmare, But She Did It All: Police
Wolcott Women Claimed Elite Hackers Made Her Life A Nightmare, But She Did It All: Police A 63-year-old Connecticut woman told police for years she and another person were the target of an ongoing online harassment campaign that lasted years by an anonymous person who made their lives miserable. But she was sending the messages and threats, police in New Haven County said.  Deborah Ann Calloutas, age 63, of Wolcott, is facing several felonies linked to the alleged faked harassment that went on for years, Connecticut State Police said.  Calloutas first reached out to police in 2021 to say she and her unnamed friend were the targets of hackers who were doctoring their ph…
Gold Bar Scammer Admits To $230K Scheme Targeting Elderly Man In Silver Spring: Prosecutors Gold Bar Scammer Admits To $230K Scheme Targeting Elderly Man In Silver Spring: Prosecutors
Gold Bar Scammer Admits To $230K Scheme Targeting Elderly Man In Silver Spring: Prosecutors The Maryland scammer believed to be a part of an international organized crime ring targeting elderly residents will face decades in prison, according to the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office. Ravinklejeet Mathon pleaded guilty this week and will face 40 years behind bars after scheming to steal three one-kilo gold bars with an estimated value of nearly $230,000 from an elderly man in Silver Spring. "The scam is believed to be part of an international organized crime ring," prosecutors said. "Similar Gold Bar Scams have been reported here in Montgomery County and across the United…
Springfield Police Officer John Paul Patrick Dies Weeks After On-Duty Medical Episode: Chief Springfield Police Officer John Paul Patrick Dies Weeks After On-Duty Medical Episode: Chief
Springfield Police Officer John Paul Patrick Dies Weeks After On-Duty Medical Episode: Chief The Springfield Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their own. Officer John Paul Patrick suffered a medical episode while on duty on Oct. 6, which Chief John Cook said ultimately led to his passing on Monday, Oct. 21. On Tuesday, Oct. 22, Patrick was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective. He is survived by a wife, two young children, a host of caring family members and colleagues. Officer Patrick joined the SPD in May 2007 after graduating from the Cape May County Police Academy. After spending the early part of his career as a patrol officer, Patrick was assigned as…
$400K Scheme: Woman Steals From Norwich-Based Addiction Nonprofit, Spends Funds On Vacations $400K Scheme: Woman Steals From Norwich-Based Addiction Nonprofit, Spends Funds On Vacations
$400K Scheme: Woman Steals From Norwich-Based Addiction Nonprofit, Spends Funds On Vacations A 50-year-old woman has admitted to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Connecticut nonprofit at which she served as executive director, federal officials said. New London County resident Michele Devine of Waterford, age 50, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with her alleged theft of almost $400,000 from a Norwich-based addiction and mental health nonprofit, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced on Monday, Oct. 21. According to federal officials, Devine served as the executive director of the Southeastern Regional Action Council on S…
Lambertville Campaign Manager Gets Probation For Filing Phony Petitions In Gov Primary: AG Lambertville Campaign Manager Gets Probation For Filing Phony Petitions In Gov Primary: AG
Lambertville Campaign Manager Gets Probation For Filing Phony Petitions In Gov Primary: AG A 62-year-old Hunterdon County campaign manager was sentenced to two years of probation on Friday, Oct. 18 after pleading guilty to attempting to fraudulently place a candidate on the Democratic primary ballot in the New Jersey governor’s race in 2021, authorities said. James Devine, a Lambertville resident, submitted 1,948 fraudulent nominating petitions to the New Jersey Department of State’s Division of Elections, in an attempt to enable his candidate, Lisa McCormick, to compete in the primary, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Devine pleaded guilty in August. “Rather than…
$5.78M Scam: Garden City Attorney Admits Defrauding 48 Victims In Real Estate Transactions $5.78M Scam: Garden City Attorney Admits Defrauding 48 Victims In Real Estate Transactions
$5.78M Scam: Garden City Attorney Admits Defrauding 48 Victims In Real Estate Transactions A New York attorney has admitted to running a scheme to defraud victims of nearly $6,000,000. Long Island resident Daniel Boldi, age 49, of Garden City acted as settlement agent and bank attorney in multiple property sales on Long Island and embezzled millions of dollars of his clients’ escrow and home loan funds, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly. The scam involved 46 separate real estate transactions between September 2020 and January 2024, Donnelly said. Boldi pleaded guilty to 13 counts of grand larceny in the second degree (a Class C felony) and o…
Manahawkin Woman Who Stole $178K+ From Long Beach Engineering Firm Sentenced: Prosecutors Manahawkin Woman Who Stole $178K+ From Long Beach Engineering Firm Sentenced: Prosecutors
Manahawkin Woman Who Stole $178K+ From Long Beach Engineering Firm Sentenced: Prosecutors A Manahawkin woman will spend several years in prison after stealing nearly $180,000 from a Long Beach engineering firm, authorities said. Dona Carlo-Tanzola, 51, was sentenced on Friday, Oct. 11 to five years in state prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. The former administrative assistant at Horn, Tyson & Yoder, Inc. pleaded guilty to theft on Monday, July 1. Long Beach Township police said Carlo-Tanzola deposited checks for the business into her personal bank accounts between May and November 2022. She also edited the…
Disbarred NJ Attorney Admits To Ponzi Scheme That Cost Investors $1 Million: Feds Disbarred NJ Attorney Admits To Ponzi Scheme That Cost Investors $1 Million: Feds
Disbarred NJ Attorney Admits To Ponzi Scheme That Cost Investors $1 Million: Feds A 61-year-old Hillsborough resident pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Oct. 9 to running a Ponzi-like wire fraud scheme that caused losses of more than $1 million, authorities said. Lawrence Coven, who had previously been disbarred as an attorney, operated and controlled Sunrise Enterprises LLC, which purported to provide financial services to investors, US Attorney Philip Sellinger said.  In reality, Coven induced investors into sending him funds by falsely representing that he would invest their money through Sunrise in exchange for large profits by providing short-term loans to borrowers …
$3.4M Scheme: Ex-Controller Admits To Embezzling Family-Owned Armonk Business $3.4M Scheme: Ex-Controller Admits To Embezzling Family-Owned Armonk Business
$3.4M Scheme: Ex-Controller Admits To Embezzling Family-Owned Armonk 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…
York Judge Indicted For 31 Counts Of Fraud, Witness Tampering: USDOJ York Judge Indicted For 31 Counts Of Fraud, Witness Tampering: USDOJ
York Judge Indicted For 31 Counts Of Fraud, Witness Tampering: Usdoj A federal grand jury has indicted a Pennsylvania judge and lawyer on 31-counts of wire and mail fraud, as well as witness tampering and obstruction of justice, the US Department of Justice announced on Tuesday, Oct. 8.  Steven Stambaugh, age 61, of York, has been charged with twenty-six counts of wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud, two counts of tampering with a witness, and one count of obstruction of justice for a COVID-19 scheme, according to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam explained.  Stambaugh is accused of defrauding the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania "to ob…
NJ, NY Stolen Cars Shipped Overseas From Quakertown Chop Shop: Bucks County DA NJ, NY Stolen Cars Shipped Overseas From Quakertown Chop Shop: Bucks County DA
NJ, NY Stolen Cars Shipped Overseas From Quakertown Chop Shop: Bucks County DA Stacks of car parts being shipped to the Dominican Republic from a Chop Shop has lead to six arrest, the Buck County District Attorney's Office announced on Monday, Oct. 7.  A Pennsylvania State Police investigation lead to the dismantling of a Milford Township chop shop run out of a garage located at 2150 Rosedale Road, as detailed in the release.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen parts were sold and shipped to the Dominican Republic from the shop, according to the release. The following men were charged in connection to the illegal sale of the stole car parts fro…
Somers Man Posing As Attorney Scams Thousands From Victim, Police Say Somers Man Posing As Attorney Scams Thousands From Victim, Police Say
Somers Man Posing As Attorney Scams Thousands From Victim, Police Say A man from the region has been accused of posing as an attorney and targeting victims, including one he allegedly scammed out of thousands of dollars. The New York State Police have reported that an investigation has revealed that Northern Westchester County resident David Karaca, 56, of Somers, impersonated a lawyer in a virtual Alcoholics Anonymous group based in Los Angeles.  Karaca, also known as David Radcliffe and David Corazza, defrauded a victim of $7,500 for legal fees despite not being a licensed attorney, said police. Karaca has been charged with grand larceny, a Class…
Would-Be Victim Foils Attempted Phone Scammer In Inwood, Police Say Would-Be Victim Foils Attempted Phone Scammer In Inwood, Police Say
Would-Be Victim Foils Attempted Phone Scammer In Inwood, Police Say A quick-thinking Long Islander avoided falling victim to an alleged phone scammer. The 73-year-old Inwood woman contacted Nassau County Police on Wednesday morning, Oct, 2, saying a man had called her claiming to work for her bank’s fraud department. During the call, he told the woman there were fraudulent charges on her bank card and they would arrange for someone to pick up the card from her home. Fortunately, the woman realized she was being scammed and contacted detectives. Eight hours later, police located the suspect, 28-year-old Darren Saunders, of Brooklyn, and arrested him witho…
Middletown Man Pretended To Be Engineer, Approved Plans, Police Say Middletown Man Pretended To Be Engineer, Approved Plans, Police Say
Middletown Man Pretended To Be Engineer, Approved Plans, Police Say A Hudson Valley man was busted for the unauthorized practice of a profession for allegedly representing himself as an engineer. Orange County resident William Sattler, age 64, of Middletown, was charged by New York State Police on Thursday, Sept. 26. According to Trooper Steven Nevel, an investigation revealed that Sattler was acting as an engineer and stamping engineering plans using the seal of the ex-employer.  He was charged with: Unauthorized practice of a profession Grand larceny Criminal possession of a forged instrument  Offering a false instrument for filing Sattler wa…
East Orange Man Gets Four+ Years For Stealing Checks From Mail: Feds East Orange Man Gets Four+ Years For Stealing Checks From Mail: Feds
East Orange Man Gets Four+ Years For Stealing Checks From Mail: Feds A 23-year-old East Orange man was sentenced to more than four years in prison on Tuesday, Oct. 1, after admitting to stealing checks from the mail, authorities said. From January 2020 to March 2022, Baba Diakite, Nasir Johnson and others conspired to steal checks from the mail in communities across New Jersey, US Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Diakite and his conspirators used misappropriated keys belonging to the U.S. Postal Service to access mail collection receptacles and steal envelopes that contained checks, Sellinger said.  After stealing the checks, Diakite and his conspi…
Ex-Controller From Mohegan Lake Who Stole $340K From Company Gets Prison Time Ex-Controller From Mohegan Lake Who Stole $340K From Company Gets Prison Time
Ex-Controller From Mohegan Lake Who Stole $340K From 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, …
Rahway Contractor Pays $950K Fine After Making False Claims To Obtain Govt. Contracts: Feds Rahway Contractor Pays $950K Fine After Making False Claims To Obtain Govt. Contracts: Feds
Rahway Contractor Pays $950K Fine After Making False Claims To Obtain Govt. Contracts: Feds A Rahway highway contractor recently agreed to pay $950,000 to resolve allegations it improperly represented itself as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise to obtain federally funded contracts, authorities said. From Oct. 2016 to April 2019, MV Contracting secured several contracts funded by the Federal Highway Administration set aside to remedy ongoing discrimination in federally assisted highway contracting markets, US Attorney Phillip Sellinger said. MV Contracting was awarded these contracts despite knowing that it did not qualify as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Sellinger said. T…
Elizabeth Man Submitted Phony Applications To Obtain $100,000+ In Covid Funds: Feds Elizabeth Man Submitted Phony Applications To Obtain $100,000+ In Covid Funds: Feds
Elizabeth Man Submitted Phony Applications To Obtain $100,000+ In Covid Funds: Feds A 53-year-old Elizabeth man recently admitted to his role in a fraud scheme involving COVID funds, phony tax filings and a fake loan application, authorities said. In June 2020, Richard Fadraga submitted a  fraudulent application for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), which resulted in him getting $110,000 from the Small Business Administration in COVID-19 relate proceeds, US Attorney Phillip Sellinger said. The next month, Fadraga submitted another fraudulent application and received a $131,000 loan, Sellinger said. That application was submitted under another person's name to c…
Maryland Man, Florida Woman Passing Bad Checks In Stafford County Tracked Down, Sheriff Says Maryland Man, Florida Woman Passing Bad Checks In Stafford County Tracked Down, Sheriff Says
Maryland Man, Florida Woman Passing Bad Checks In Stafford County Tracked Down, Sheriff Says Two suspects visiting Virginia from out of state are facing felony charges following an investigation into a series of bad checks that were used at several Stafford County businesses, officials say. Pasadena Raymond Wilson, 36, and 20-year-old Florida resident Jessie Mainville were both arrested this week after their checks bounced - and not for the first time. At around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, deputies from the Stafford County Sheriff's Office were called to O'Reilly Auto Parts on Bojangles way, where there was a report of fraud suspects in the business. "Staff advised a male a…
Nassau County Rep. D’Esposito Denies Scathing Report He Gave Mistress, Fiancée’s Daughter Jobs Nassau County Rep. D’Esposito Denies Scathing Report He Gave Mistress, Fiancée’s Daughter Jobs
Nassau County 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 …
Trio Stole $100K+ In Business Checks From Wall Township Mailboxes, Police Say Trio Stole $100K+ In Business Checks From Wall Township Mailboxes, Police Say
Trio Stole $100K+ In Business Checks From Wall Township Mailboxes, Police Say Two men and a woman from North Jersey were accused of stealing more than $100,000 in business checks from Wall Township mailboxes, authorities said. James Miller, 37, of Passaic; Kaleik Easton, 29, of Bloomfield; and Asia Harrell, 31, also from Bloomfield; were arrested, the Wall Township Police Department said in a news release. Investigators said businesses were defrauded out of more than $100,000 after checks were taken from their mailboxes. Police executed two search warrants at the suspects' homes and they were taken into custody on Wednesday, Sept. 19. Detectives …
Man Claiming To Be Walmart Worker Scams New Hyde Park Woman Out Of $20K: Police Man Claiming To Be Walmart Worker Scams New Hyde Park Woman Out Of $20K: Police
Man Claiming To Be Walmart Worker Scams New Hyde Park Woman Out Of $20K: Police A phone call claiming to protect a Long Island resident's savings ended in a $20,000 scam, according to authorities. The victim, a 69-year-old New Hyde Park woman, received the call from an unknown man who falsely identified himself as a Walmart employee, according to Nassau County Police. The man advised the victim that there was fraudulent activity on her account and that the victim’s Social Security number was compromised.  The victim was then instructed to move her money out of her bank account to protect it. On Monday, September 9, the victim withdrew $20,000 and met with …
Police FINALLY Remove Skimmer Redditors Warned About At PA Sheetz PNC ATM Police FINALLY Remove Skimmer Redditors Warned About At PA Sheetz PNC ATM
Police Finally Remove Skimmer Redditors Warned About At PA Sheetz PNC ATM A skimmer at Sheetz that Redditors warned people about three months ago was removed on Thursday, Sept. 12, police announced.   The skimmer was found on the PNC ATM at the Sheetz located at 1205 Lancaster Road in Manheim, police explained.  "If you used the ATM machine located inside the store over the past month, please review your bank transactions and report any fraudulent or suspicious activity to your bank and local police department," the police said.  Redditor users in the Lancaster subreddit have been posting about this since June.  The first post reads: "…
Ex-Huntington Town Worker Admits Stealing $56K Of Deceased Mother's Pension Funds Ex-Huntington Town Worker Admits Stealing $56K Of Deceased Mother's Pension Funds
Ex-Huntington Town Worker Admits Stealing $56K Of Deceased Mother's Pension Funds A former town employee on Long Island confessed to stealing thousands of dollars from his deceased mother’s pension funds. Moses Johnson, age 63, of Huntington, pleaded guilty to grand larceny in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Prosecutors said Johnson’s mother died in April 2021 and he never notified the bank or the New York State and Local Retirement System of her death. Between April 2021 and June 2022, he collected a total of 15 unauthorized payments totaling $56,411. The stolen funds were traced from Johnson’s mother’s bank account into his bank account. Johnson worked for …