Tag:

Fraud

Trump Taps Dr. Oz, Penn Alum, To Lead Medicare And Medicaid Services Trump Taps Dr. Oz, Penn Alum, To Lead Medicare And Medicaid Services
Trump Taps Dr. Oz, Penn Alum, To Lead Medicare And Medicaid Services President-elect Donald J. Trump has nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), citing the Pennsylvania-educated heart surgeon’s decades-long dedication to healthcare innovation and public advocacy. The announcement came Tuesday, Nov. 19, as Trump highlighted Oz’s qualifications and ties to the Keystone State. Dr. Oz earned both his medical degree and MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine and Wharton Business School, making him an Ivy League-trained physician and business leader. Trump lauded his achievements in a statement, ca…
Virginia Impostor Oversaw 60 Patients During Fake Nurse Scheme In California, Police Say Virginia Impostor Oversaw 60 Patients During Fake Nurse Scheme In California, Police Say
Virginia Impostor Oversaw 60 Patients During Fake Nurse Scheme In California, Police Say A Virginia woman on federal probation for fraud is back behind bars after allegedly impersonating a nurse and securing jobs at multiple Los Angeles County hospitals, including overseeing dozens of patients without proper credentials, the Burbank Police Department announced. The suspect, 44-year-old Amanda Leeann Porter, was identified after hospital staff at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank discovered she was posing as a licensed nurse from out of state.  Between April 8 and May 8, Porter reportedly cared for approximately 60 patients while fraudulently employed. Port…
Don’t Be Fooled: Police Warn Of Email Scammers Ahead Of Holidays Don’t Be Fooled: Police Warn Of Email Scammers Ahead Of Holidays
Don’t Be Fooled: Police Warn Of Email Scammers Ahead Of Holidays Police in New York are warning residents to beware scammers heading into the holidays. In a public service announcement Wednesday, Nov. 13, Nassau County Police were especially concerned about computer scams that claim someone’s bank or shopping account was “hacked.” Other scams include phony computer viruses and software updates, unsolicited job offers, fake lotto prizes, and bogus overdue notices from purported utility companies. “Legitimate agencies never ask for immediate payment via gift cards and never come to your home to collect cash,” the agency said. Police warned that the follo…
DMV Nabs Trio Running Unlicensed Used Car Dealership In Poughkeepsie DMV Nabs Trio Running Unlicensed Used Car Dealership In Poughkeepsie
DMV Nabs Trio Running Unlicensed Used Car Dealership In Poughkeepsie Following a two-year investigation, three men were nabbed running an alleged unlicensed used car dealership in the region. In Dutchess County, the trio -- Raed Nesheiwat, age 57; Lakeia Parker, age 41, and Marceise Livesay, age 26 -- were arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 13, in Poughkeepsie. According to Water McClure of the state Division of Motor Vehicles, the investigation found that the three sold more than 150 vehicles out of a building and parking lot at 20-22 Pershing Ave., in Poughkeepsie, without a legitimate dealer license. The Dutchess County Grand Jury has charged the men, who are a…
White Plains Nursing Home Among 4 In NY To Pay $45M Settlement After Mistreating Residents: AG White Plains Nursing Home Among 4 In NY To Pay $45M Settlement After Mistreating Residents: AG
White Plains Nursing Home Among 4 In NY To Pay $45M Settlement After Mistreating Residents: AG A Westchester County nursing home is one of four in New York that will be required to pay tens of millions of dollars following years of mistreating and neglecting its senior residents, officials announced. In an announcement on Thursday, Nov. 14, New York Attorney General Letitia James revealed that four New York nursing homes, including the Martine Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing at 12 Tibbets Ave. in White Plains, would pay a $45 million settlement to address years of alleged insufficient staffing and resident neglect. The other nursing homes, all managed by Centers for Care, …
NJ Man Charged With Defrauding Victim In Loan Scheme Involving Batmobile, Ghostbusters Hearse NJ Man Charged With Defrauding Victim In Loan Scheme Involving Batmobile, Ghostbusters Hearse
NJ Man Charged With Defrauding Victim In Loan Scheme Involving Batmobile, Ghostbusters Hearse A 38-year-old Warren County man was charged on Wednesday, Oct. 23 for defrauding a 91-year-old man who loaned him money, after having settled the case in court, Daily Voice has learned. In May 2021, a 91-year-old Clarksburg resident loaned Asbury resident Christopher Sterlacci $400,000, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée Robeson and Hunterdon County Chief of Detectives Timothy Drew said. Several vehicles and properties were put up as collateral by Sterlacci for the loan, authorities said. After defaulting on the terms of the loan, it was discovered that the properties and vehi…
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…
Credit Card Skimmer Found On Cash Register At PA Royal Farms: Police Credit Card Skimmer Found On Cash Register At PA Royal Farms: Police
Credit Card Skimmer Found On Cash Register At PA Royal Farms: Police An illegal electronic skimming device was found installed on a cash register at a Delaware County store, police announced on Thursday, Nov. 13. The credit card skimmer was found at a register at the Royal Farms store located at 2130 West Chester Pike in Marple Township on Saturday, Nov. 9, according to the Marple Township Police Department. An investigation found that the skimmer may have been placed on the register at least a week before it was discovered, police said. Customers who made purchases at the store between Friday, Nov. 1, and Saturday, Nov. 9 are encouraged to check their bank…
Identity Thief Nabbed Trying To Spend Stolen $64K At Paramus Best Buy: Bloomingdale PD Identity Thief Nabbed Trying To Spend Stolen $64K At Paramus Best Buy: Bloomingdale PD
Identity Thief Nabbed Trying To Spend Stolen $64K At Paramus Best Buy: Bloomingdale PD A Bronx, NY man who stole $64,000 through identity theft was arrested when he tried to use the stolen funds for a purchase at Best Buy in Paramus, authorities said.  Edwin Baez was taken into custody after Bloomingdale police tracked unauthorized activity on the victim’s accounts and collaborated with Paramus Police to apprehend Baez as he tried to pick up the fraudulent order, Bloomingdale Police Sgt. Sami Zeidan said. The case began when the victim noticed unusual activity in their bank account, leading investigators to uncover that Baez had gained access to the victim’s persona…
$80K+ Theft From Fire Company Social Club  Steward: Swatara Police $80K+ Theft From Fire Company Social Club  Steward: Swatara Police
$80K+ Theft From Fire Company Social Club Steward: Swatara Police A steward of the Friendship Fire Company Social Club has been arrested following an investigation into alleged theft and fraud, Swatara Township Police announced on Thursday, Nov. 7. Tamas Topos, 57, the former steward at the Friendship Fire Company Social Club, is accused of committing multiple acts of theft, financial mismanagement, and fraud. The investigation concluded that Topos allegedly stole approximately $80,940.65 from the Social Club and falsified financial records submitted to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Enforcement office. Topos has been taken into custody and is currently…
Fake Government Contract Fraud Scheme Nets PA Man Prison Time: USDOJ Fake Government Contract Fraud Scheme Nets PA Man Prison Time: USDOJ
Fake Government Contract Fraud Scheme Nets PA Man Prison Time: Usdoj A Philadelphia man is getting prison time after participating in a $622,000 fraud scheme involving fake government contracts, according to authorities. Darren Barr, 39, was sentenced to almost five years in prison after pleading guilty to an organized scheme that defrauded Lucas County Auditor in Ohio on Wednesday, Nov. 6, the US Department of Justice states in a news release. Barr collaborated with unnamed co-conspirators in a plan that had them pretending to be legitimate vendors Lucas County was authorized to do business with, according to the news release. This scheme began in March 201…
Fraudulent House Flipping in Philly Gets Delaware Man Jail Time: USDOJ Fraudulent House Flipping in Philly Gets Delaware Man Jail Time: USDOJ
Fraudulent House Flipping in Philly Gets Delaware Man Jail Time: Usdoj A Delaware man is facing jail time for fraud after flipping three Philadelphia properties he promised to convert into affordable housing, authorities said. Felton Hayman, 54, of Wilmington, was sentenced to a year and a day in prison and three years of supervised release for his scheme on Monday, Oct. 28, according to a US Department of Justice news release. Hayman used his longtime friendship with an unnamed Philadelphia city councilmember to purchase three vacant city properties at below-market prices based on his promise to build affordable housing on the lots, the news release states. …
Voter Registration Forms Under Investigation In PA Tied To Arizona Company: Authorities Voter Registration Forms Under Investigation In PA Tied To Arizona Company: Authorities
Voter Registration Forms Under Investigation In PA Tied To Arizona Company: Authorities Some suspicious voter registration forms that are under investigation in Pennsylvania have been tied to an Arizona company, authorities said. About 30 irregular forms that were turned over to Monroe County District Attorney Mike Mancuso to investigate turned out to be fraudulent, according to a post on the district attorney's Facebook page.   Posted by Monroe County Office of the District Attorney on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 Several of the voter registration applications and mail ballot request forms were determined to be fraudulent because they weren't authorized by…
Hundreds Of Forged Voter Registration Found In 2.5K Questionable Applications: Lancaster DA Hundreds Of Forged Voter Registration Found In 2.5K Questionable Applications: Lancaster DA
Hundreds Of Forged Voter Registration Found In 2.5K Questionable Applications: Lancaster DA The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office has found hundreds of fraudulent voter registration applications while continuing to investigate the 2,500 applications dropped off at the county Board of Elections. Election workers initially noticed the irregularities before the applications had been processed and notified the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office, as Daily Voice previously reported. Detectives quickly noticed "fraud indicators" such as "incorrect and non-existent addresses, false personal identification information, as well as false names and incorrect social security…
School Aide Accused Of Falsifying Payroll Records In Uniondale School Aide Accused Of Falsifying Payroll Records In Uniondale
School Aide Accused Of Falsifying Payroll Records In Uniondale A Long Island school aide has been accused of falsifying payroll records claiming to work with a special needs student. Keenya Lessey, age 48, of Baldwin, allegedly submitted 19 falsified timesheets claiming to have worked with the fourth-grader with special needs in the Hempstead Union Free School District when she was not, and wrongfully collected more than $10,000 in pay, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said. Timesheets claimed Lessey worked full-time with the student at the Academy Charter School in Uniondale during winter break and other d…
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…