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Tag:
Wire Fraud
Silver Spring, MD
News
Alleged Russian Ransomware Mastermind Extradited From South Korea To Maryland
A Russian national accused of running a global ransomware operation that extorted more than $16 million from victims worldwide has been extradited from South Korea to Maryland to face federal charges, authorities announced. Evgenii Ptitsyn, 42, is charged with operating and administering the sale, distribution, and deployment of the notorious Phobos ransomware, which targeted over 1,000 public and private organizations globally, including schools, hospitals, and critical infrastructure. Ptitsyn made his first appearance in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland earlier this …
Wyckoff-Franklin Lakes, NJ
News
Franklin Lakes Wife Destroyed Phone To Obstruct Feds In Husband's High-Profile Probe: Officials
Federal authorities have charged the wife of a Bergen County celebrity house flipper with trying to obstruct an investigation into her husband’s alleged multimillion-dollar Ponzi-like real estate scheme. Jennifer Iturralde Pina, 43, of Franklin Lakes, is accused of attempting to stop a witness from cooperating with investigators and destroying one of her phones as federal agents arrived to seize it, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said this week. The alleged obstruction is linked to an ongoing investigation involving her husband, Cesar Humberto Pina, 45, a real estate influencer better kn…
Greenwich, CT
Police & Fire
Greenwich Investment Firm Founder Stole Millions In Clients' Cash: Feds
A 49-year-old Connecticut man faces potentially decades in prison after he allegedly defrauded and stole $3.5 million of his client's money for years, federal authorities said. Justin C. Murphy, 49, of Stamford, is charged with 15 counts of wire fraud, five counts of money laundering, and three counts of tax evasion, the US Attorney for Connecticut announced on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Murphy ran the Greenwich-based investment firm Mara. The company also went by Mara Investment Group, LLC, Mara Investment Management LP, and Mara Investments Global Management LLC. Federal inv…
Conshohocken-Plymouth Meeting, PA
News
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. …
Ambler-Blue Bell, PA
News
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…
Norwich, CT
News
$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…
Alexandria, VA
Business
Former NFL Player, UVA Alum Turned Developer Charged With Embezzlement In Virginia: Feds
A former NFL player who was a standout at the University of Virginia is facing federal charges for alleged embezzlement, authorities announced. Christopher Harrison, 52, was charged by a grand jury for allegedly misappropriating loans intended for the development of two projects linked to his real estate company. According to the indictment, Harrison allegedly secured loans from Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust (CRBT) for $14,492,057 for the Model Tobacco Project in Richmond and $7,706,675 for the Whitaker Park Project in North Carolina. Under the terms of the agreements, the former offe…
Hillsborough, NJ
Police & Fire
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 …
Armonk, NY
News
$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, PA
News
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…
Newark, NJ
News
Company Hired To Replace 18,000 Lead Pipes In Newark Faked Work, Billed For It Anyway: Feds
Two people hired by the City of Newark to replace 18,000 lead pipes are facing federal charges after they intentionally left the pipes in the ground, hid them from officials, and then collected payment for work that they didn't properly perform, federal officials said. Michael Sawyer, 57, of Burlington, and Latronia "Tee" Sanders, 55, of Roselle, are each charged by complaint with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, US Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said (click here for the complaint). Citing charging documents, NJ Advance Media says JAS Group Enterprise Inc. (JAS), the company in which Sa…
Elizabeth, NJ
News
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…
Smithtown, NY
News
Covid-
19: John Gotti's Smithtown Grandson Admits To $1M Relief Fraud
A New York man with ties to the Mafia formally confessed to a million-dollar COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. Long Island resident Carmine Agnello, age 38, of Smithtown, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in Central Islip federal court on Thursday, Sept. 26. Agnello is the grandson of the late John Gotti, former boss of the Gambino organized crime family. According to prosecutors, between April 2020 and November 2021, he fraudulently applied for, and received, at least three small business loans under the US Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDLP). The program…
Baldwin, NY
Politics
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 …
Drexel Hill-Upper Darby, PA
News
Woman Buried In Basement For $100K In Social Security Benefits:
Usdoj
A 37-year-old Philadelphia woman was caught stealing nearly $100,000 in Social Security benefits stolen from a woman she allegedly buried under her house, the US Department of Justice announced on Friday, Sept. 13. Holly Sadowski was arrested on charges of Social Security fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, for concealing the death of a woman, U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero explained. She faces 107 years in prison and a $1,750,000 fine, Romero said in a statement. "The indictment further alleges that a DNA analysis of the human remains recovered from the concrete base…
Jersey City, NJ
Police & Fire
Jersey City Jeweler Defrauded Customs Of $13.5 Million In Jewelry Imports: Feds
A 39-year-old Jersey City jeweler who operated in the Diamond District pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Sept. 10 to spearheading a scheme to illegally evade customs duties for more than $13.5 million of jewelry imports into the country and with illegally processing more than $10.3 million through an unlicensed money transmitting business, authorities said. Monishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah, a.k.a. Monish Doshi Shah, pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and operating and aiding and abetting the operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business, US Att…
Freeport, NY
Business
$2M Con Job: Freeport Contractor Admits Defrauding Victims Of Hurricane Sandy
A former New York contractor confessed to stealing millions of dollars from homeowners who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy to fund his lavish lifestyle. Alexander Almaraz, age 56, who formerly lived on Long Island in Freeport, pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges in Central Islip federal court on Thursday, Sept. 5. Prosecutors said Almaraz, who owned Design Concepts Group (DCG) in Freeport, targeted homeowners who suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 and later received relief funds from the governor’s office. Earlier Report: Lamborghini, Porsche, Jaguar,…
Toms River, NJ
Police & Fire
Toms River Man Led Scheme To Commit Mortgage,
Covid-
19 Business Loan Fraud: Feds
A Toms River man was accused of leading a multimillion-dollar scheme to commit mortgage fraud and steal federal COVID-19 loans, authorities said. Arthur Spitzer, 37, was indicted on 25 counts, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release on Tuesday, Sept. 3. A grand jury also indicted 38-year-old Mendel Deutsch of Toms River and 42-year-old Joshua Feldberger of Howell Township in the case. According to the indictment, Spitzer got mortgage loans for real estate properties that he didn't own in New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York. He chose properties that ha…
Hackensack, NJ
News
Woman Charged With Selling $18M In Bogus Coupons Downloaded In NJ: Feds
A San Antonio, TX, woman was arrested and charged with selling more than $18 million worth of counterfeit coupons used at various retail stores across the United States — including New Jersey — for the purchase of household items, federal officials said. From June 2020 through June 2024, Janet Bernal — who goes by the names Rocky, Rocky G, Rocky Gee, and RockyG-Kruella — orchestrated a scheme to produce and sell fraudulent, counterfeit coupons for use by purchasers at retail stores throughout the United States, including large pharmacies and grocery stores, U.S. Attorney Philip R. …
Hartford, CT
Police & Fire
Hartford Man Accused Of Ripping Off Amazon Workers
A Connecticut man accused of stealing dozens of high-end goods from Amazon workers faces federal charges. Terrell Kimble, age 44, of Hartford, is charged with four counts of wire fraud, and was released after posting a $250,000 bail, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. Kimble worked as a regional fleet specialist for Amazon and oversaw a rewards program called Coupa that would give high-performing workers high-end electronics like Apple iPads, AirPods, Apple Watches, and Nintendo Switches. Federal prosecutors said Kimble kept those gifts for himself and had the items se…
Cortlandt, NY
News
$2.4M Scheme: Former Cortlandt Town Employee, Business Owner Admit To Illegal Dumping Plot
A former Northern Westchester town employee has admitted to allowing a business owner to illegally dump unauthorized material at an environmentally fragile facility in exchange for cash bribes, federal officials announced. Verplanck resident Robert Dyckman, age 52, and Cortlandt Manor resident Glenn Griffin, age 55, both pleaded guilty to charges related to the $2.4 million scheme, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Monday, Aug. 26. According to federal officials, Dyckman, the former Assistant General Foreman for the Town o…
Mount Laurel, NJ
News
Mount Laurel Man Who Scammed $500K+ Sentenced In Foreign Currency, Car Loan Schemes: Feds
A Mount Laurel man will spend several years in prison after scamming hundreds of investors and car owners out of more than $500,000, authorities said. Michael Salerno, 55, was sentenced on Monday, Aug. 26 to three years and one month in prison, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Jacqueline Romero said in a news release. He had pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud after he was indicted for schemes in September 2020 and February 2023. Salerno operated Black Diamond Forex, L.P., BDF Trading, L.P., Advanta Capital Markets, Inc., and Advanta FX between …
Colts Neck, NJ
Police & Fire
'Heartless And Despicable' Colts Neck Broker Who Scammed $3M+ From Gold Star Families Sentenced
A former Army financial counselor from Colts Neck will spend more than a decade in prison after admitting to scamming Gold Star families out of more than $3 million, authorities said. Caz Craffy, 42, was sentenced on Wednesday, Aug. 21 to 12 years and seven months in prison, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release. He pleaded guilty to 10 charges on Tuesday, Apr. 16. Craffy, who's also known as "Carz Craffey," had been a major in the U.S. Army Reserve since 2003. His Army affiliation was terminated in January 2023, according to military records. Ac…
White Plains, NY
News
Friar In White Plains-Based Province Accepted Donations For Fake Medical Clinics: Fed
A Franciscan friar in a Westchester County-based province is accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in fake donations for fake medical clinics he claimed to run in another country, federal officials announced. New York City resident Pawel Bielecki, a 48-year-old friar with the White Plains-based Province of St. Mary of the Capuchin Order, was arrested on wire and mail fraud charges, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Monday, Aug. 19. According to federal officials, Bielecki, also known as "Paul Bielecki,…
Brentwood, NY
Politics
Ousted Nassau Rep. George Santos Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case
Former Republican Congressman George Santos admitted to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a federal court on Monday, Aug. 19, authorities announced. The 36-year-old former inhabitant of New York's 3rd Congressional District seat on Long Island was facing 23 felonies, and a trial set to begin next month. A federal judge will sentence Santos on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York said. According to federal sentencing guidelines, aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year minimum sentence.&n…
Brentwood, NY
Politics
Ex-Nassau County Rep. George Santos To Plead Guilty To Federal Charges: Reports
Former Republican Rep. George Santos is expected to plead guilty to federal charges weeks ahead of his upcoming trial, multiple news outlets are reporting. The 36-year-old Santos, who represented New York's 3rd Congressional District, faces 23 federal charges including identity theft, wire fraud, money laundering, and lying to Congress. NBC News reported that Santos' lawyers and federal investigators are hammering out a plea deal on some of those charges that will be presented to a judge on Monday, Aug. 19. The details on that agreement, which charges he will admit to, and …
Massapequa, NY
News
Nypd
Detective From Long Island Helps Dozens Get Fraudulent
Covid-
19 Relief Loans, Feds Say
An NYPD detective from Long Island is among four defendants accused of helping dozens of people obtain fraudulent COVID-19 relief loans. John Bolden, age 46, of Valley Stream, was indicted on wire fraud charges in Brooklyn federal court on Monday, Aug. 12. Prosecutors said Bolden and a second NYPD detective, Anthony Carreira, owned partnership interests in a franchise location for a tax preparation business. Together with clients and co-defendants, the pair helped more than 65 people submit fraudulent applications for loans under the US Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection P…
Newark, NJ
Police & Fire
Four Newark Men Robbed Postal Worker At Gunpoint: Feds
Four Newark men were arrested and charged on Thursday, Aug. 1 with robbing a postal worker at gunpoint last November, authorities said. Last November, three people, including Troy Corbett, 28, and Dyshawn Williams, 28 stole the victim's cell phone, keys and wallet, containing a credit card and debit card, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. The robbery is a federal crime, since it impeded the postal worker from delivering mail, interfering with interstate commerce, Sellinger said. After the robbery, Antwuan Brown, 24, and Karleem Stamps, 25, used the stolen debit card to make separate purc…
Worcester, MA
Politics
Ex-Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You'
Former Rep. George Santos may have been banished out into the political cold, but he's kept his grudges hot. The 36-year-old former Republican who served New York's 3rd District posted a video Tuesday night, Aug. 6, celebrating after another member of the so-called "Squad" lost her primary. Related: Santos Announces Comeback Bid After Being Ousted From Congress Rep. Cori Bush, who has served Missouri's 1st District since 2021, lost her bid on Tuesday to remain on the Democratic ticket to local prosecutor Wesley Bell, who garnered 51 percent of the vote to Bush's 45, according to NBC …
Massapequa, NY
News
$1B Scheme: Pair Of CEOs, Including Manhasset Man, Defrauded 10K Investors, Jury Finds
A New York resident was one of two CEOs convicted in federal court of a $1 billion fraud scheme involving thousands of investors. Long Island resident David Gentile, age 57, of Manhasset, and Jeffry Schneider, age 55, of Austin, Texas, were found guilty in federal court on all counts of an indictment charging them with conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and securities fraud. Gentile, the owner and CEO of GPB Capital Holdings, was also convicted on two counts of wire fraud. The verdict came after an eight-week trial. When sentenced on Thursd…
Hartford, CT
News
$1.5M Con: Ex-Employee Admits Defrauding CT Insurance Company
A former employee from Pennsylvania admitted to defrauding a Connecticut insurance company to the tune of $1.5 million. James Keating, age 52, of Paoli, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in New Haven federal court on Tuesday, July 30. Prosecutors said Keating – who served as assistant vice president and a surety bond claims handler at Hartford County-based Allied World Insurance Company in Farmington – created a shell company to bill Allied World for unnecessary claims work that was never performed. Between 2017 and 2021, he also solicited and received kickbacks from Allied World…
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