Attorney Admits Stealing More Than $500K From New Canaan Trust, Faces Up To 20 Years
A lawyer trusted to manage a Connecticut commercial property has admitted to stealing more than $500,000 from a trust, federal prosecutors say. Now he's facing decades in prison.
Edward W. Miller, 70, of Lawrence, New York, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in federal court in Bridgeport on Thursday, May 28, after waiving his right to be indicted, the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut said.
According to court records, Miller was a New York attorney who served as trustee of the M.P. Trust, which was created in 2014 to manage several properties, including a commercial building in N…
Round Two: Man Facing Retrial For LI Coach’s Killing After Previous Conviction Tossed
The decades-old killing of a Hofstra football coach continues to trouble investigators, with a man whose conviction was previously vacated set for retrial on Monday, May 4.
Gary Lawrence, now 56, is again facing charges for the killing of Harry Joseph Healy outside an Arby’s restaurant near Hofstra’s Hempstead campus, Newsday reported.
Healy, 25, was shot dead in a failed robbery on Sept. 29, 1990. Lawrence and another man, Christopher Ellis, were convicted of murder in the case at a 1992 trial.
But both men successfully appealed those convictions decades later, noting that police and pros…
Cheshire Contractor Admits Hiding $500K In Checks Over 3 Years Tax Fraud Scheme: Feds
A Berkshire County construction company owner admitted in federal court that he took part in a multi-year tax fraud scheme, where he pocketed more than $500,000, authorities said.
Dennis Condron, 76, of Cheshire, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Feb. 10, to four counts of tax fraud, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.
Federal prosecutors said Condron ran the scheme through his business, D Condron Construction, while doing work in Berkshire County.
According to the charging document, Condron “hid over half a million dollars in customer checks by cashing them and diverting them to …
Elementary Teacher From Farmingdale Had Hundreds Of Child Sex Abuse Images, DOJ Says
A New York City elementary school teacher from Long Island was caught with hundreds of illicit images depicting child sex abuse, prosecutors said.
Christopher Ward, 37, of Farmingdale, was arrested Wednesday, Sept. 24, and charged in Manhattan federal court with receiving, possessing, and distributing child pornography.
Prosecutors allege that Ward, who taught first grade at schools in both Queens and Manhattan between 2021 and 2025, stored and shared hundreds of illegal images and videos over a mobile messaging app.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Manhattan federal court, inves…
Duo Falsified Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Inspections Across Westchester, Feds Say
A Putnam County man and a North Carolina resident have been charged in a federal fraud case accusing them of falsifying hundreds of critical safety inspections on natural gas pipelines in Westchester County and New York City, prosecutors announced.
Michael Vasconcellos, 44, of Mahopac, and Liam Treibert, 30, of Wendell, North Carolina, were indicted on charges of wire fraud, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Thursday, Aug. 28.
Both men were arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 27: Treibert in North Carolina, where he will appear before a federal judge i…
Man Sharing Babe Ruth’s Name Accused Of Fraud Using Dead Ballplayers’ IDs
He shares a name with baseball’s greatest legend, but prosecutors say this “Babe Ruth” swung for a different kind of home run, by allegedly stealing the identities of hundreds of ballplayers, dead and retired.
A federal grand jury in Greeneville, Tennessee, returned a sweeping 91-count indictment late last week, charging George Herman Ruth, age 69, with masterminding an elaborate fraud scheme that netted more than half a million dollars.
Ruth, whose full name matches that of Hall of Famer Babe Ruth (who was born George Herman Ruth in 1895), stands accused of mail fraud, aggravated identity …
FBI, Police Crack 2 Major Sex Crime, Multi-Million Dollar Scam Cases In Bedford
Two high-profile police investigations in Westchester County—one involving the sexual abuse of a minor and another tied to a nationwide fraud ring—have concluded with major developments in federal court, authorities announced.
According to Bedford Police, the first case began on Aug. 30, 2023, when detectives arrested John Lord, 40, of Arizona, after he engaged in sexual acts with a 15-year-old boy in a wooded area of Katonah earlier that day. The FBI later charged Lord with persuading, inducing, enticing, and coercing the child to engage in sexual activity.
This week, Lord was s…
Shelton Man Who Had 3K Images Of Child Porn, Some With Infants, Admits To Crimes: Police
A 32-year-old Connecticut man has pleaded guilty to downloading more than 3,000 images of child sexual abuse material, some of which included infants and toddlers, federal authorities announced.
Burnest Geyer Jr., of Shelton, admitted in federal court on Monday, July 28, to charges of child exploitation after an investigation revealed he was involved in the possession and distribution of child pornography, the US Attorney for Connecticut said.
According to court documents, Geyer admitted to communicating with others about his disturbing collection of child pornography through encrypte…
YouTuber Who Filmed Viral Confrontation With Armed CT State Trooper Pleads Not Guilty To Felony
A YouTuber who gained national attention in a now-viral video after confronting a Connecticut State Trooper outside the officer’s home earlier this month has pleaded not guilty to one felony and two misdemeanor charges.
SeanPaul Reyes, 34, of Gorham, New York, confronted Trooper Sgt. Brian Fahey outside Fahey’s Groton home on July 11. Video of the altercation shows an armed Fahey spitting in Reyes’ face as the two shouted expletives at each other.
Tahiem Glover, 20, of Selden, New York, Reyes’ cameraman, was also arrested and charged.
Reyes called the charges of voyeurism, trespassin…
Taylor Swift's Neighbor, Distinguished PA Educator-Turned-Art Dealer Pleads Guilty In Art Scam
A former Hill School admissions director and neighbor of pop icon Taylor Swift pleaded guilty to selling fake artwork he falsely claimed was created by some of the world’s most legendary artists, federal authorities announced on Tuesday, June 3.
Carter P. Reese, 77, of Reading, admitted in federal court on Thursday, May 29, to wire fraud and mail fraud for a two-year scheme that duped customers into buying forged works he said came from Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and others, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Once respect…
Melville Exec Stole $1.6M To Fund Lavish Wedding, Failed Restaurant, DOJ Says
A former Long Island credit supervisor is accused of stealing over $1 million from customer refund accounts to pay for his wedding, luxury travel, and launch a failed restaurant venture, prosecutors said.
Tony Ream, 33, of Greenville, South Carolina, was arraigned on wire fraud and money laundering charges in Central Islip federal court on Friday, May 30.
During his time as a credit supervisor for a Melville-based medical and dental supply company, Ream used his position to secretly divert corporate funds into a personal bank account he controlled, prosecutors alleged.
As supervisor, he ha…
'Wolf In Sheep's Clothing': Eastchester Coach Used Snapchat To Get Nudes From Minors, Feds Say
A football coach and athletic director at a Westchester County high school faces federal child pornography charges after allegedly using Snapchat and other apps to coerce young victims into sending sexually explicit photos of themselves, prosecutors said.
Eastchester resident Thomas Puccini, age 28, was arrested on Wednesday, May 21, and appeared the same day in White Plains federal court, where he was ordered detained, according to US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton.
Puccini was employed as the Interim Director of Physical Education, Health, and …
Ex-Suffolk Tutor Who 'Catfished' Minor Into Sex, Abused Second Teen Gets 65 Years In Prison
A former tutor from Long Island will spend decades behind bars for blackmailing an underage teen into having sex with him, and abusing a second victim.
Steven Cipkin, 38, of Suffolk County, was sentenced to 65 years in prison in Louisiana federal court on Wednesday, May 21, after admitting to online enticement of minors.
Cipkin admitted that from January to April 2022, he used online platforms to pose as an adolescent girl and contacted a minor in Louisiana, gaining her trust. After revealing his true identity, Cipkin continued the communication, asking her to send sexually explicit photos …
'Gladly Go To Prison:' Morris County Man Admits Threats After Commentator’s Rabbi Remarks
A Morris County man admitted to threatening to kill a political commentator in an online video and group message, federal officials said.
Haim Braverman, 47, of Morris Plains, pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to transmitting threats in interstate commerce, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced Tuesday, May 6. He entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin. Sentencing is set for Sept. 15, 2025.
According to court documents, Braverman posted a video on or about Sept. 10, 2024, in which he threatened a political commentator while holding a bat.
“You’ll get what’s coming to yo…
Ex-Library Staffer From Hawthorne Admits Embezzling $3.2M From Couple Who Trusted Him, Feds Say
A Passaic County man and former tech administrator at a Bergen County library admitted to embezzling more than $3.2 million from a local couple who had hired him as a part-time personal assistant, federal prosecutors said.
Charles Gallo, 34, of Hawthorne, pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to one count of wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said Friday, May 2.
Gallo began working for the victims in 2018, helping manage their bills, banking, emails, and tech issues, court documents say. From March 2022 to March 2023, Gallo used his access to steal millions, including making ATM withdra…
Greenwich Hedge Fund Owner Admits To Stealing $3.4M From Investors: DOJ
A Connecticut businessman who ran a hedge fund based in Greenwich has admitted to stealing millions from investors in a years-long scam.
Justin C. Murphy, 50, of Stamford, pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud and money laundering, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. He faces up to 30 years in prison.
Prosecutors say he misled clients, faked financial statements, and used their money to fund his lifestyle, including investing in a relative’s startup.
Murphy owned and operated Mara Investment Group, also known by similar names, claiming it was a hedge fund that used a smart,…
Colombian National Broke ICE Officer’s Nose, Left Her With Concussion In NJ Assault: Feds
A Colombian national has been indicted for assaulting a U.S. immigration officer during a violent arrest attempt in New Jersey, federal prosecutors said.
Hector Villegas-Alvarez, 27, was identified by ICE deportation officers on Feb. 23, as being in the United States without legal immigration status, according to U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
When officers attempted to arrest him, Villegas-Alvarez physically resisted and “forcefully elbowed one of the ICE deportation officers in the face,” according to court documents.
The officer, a woman, suffered a broken nose and a concussion, and continu…
