Friday, March 12, 2010

NYC Couple Charged With Using Forged Certified Bank Checks To Fleece Dozen Property Owners Out Of $16M+ In Real Estate

From the Office of the Queens County District Attorney:
  • Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown [] announced that a Flushing man who held himself out as an attorney, accountant and banker and his female accomplice have been charged with stealing more than $16 million from a dozen individuals selling real estate and other assets.

  • District Attorney Brown said, “The defendants are accused of conning twelve property owners out of more than $16 million in assets – including properties located in Oyster Bay, Long Island, Pennsylvania, Texas and California – during seven closings held last Saturday in Queens. In some instances, the defendants are alleged to have promised to double any money the victims brought to the closings, thereby duping their victims out of $310,000 in cash, as well as diamonds, gold and mink coats.”

For the Queens DA press release, see Flushing Couple's Charged With Fleecing 12 Individuals Out Of $16 Million In Real Estate, Cars, Cash, And Other Valuables.

(1) The District Attorney identified the defendants as Matthew McEntee, 50, and Marina M. Mora, 45, both of 157-33 Rose Avenue in Flushing, Queens. The defendants, who are presently awaiting arraignment in Queens Criminal Court, are charged with first-, second-, third- and fourth-degree grand larceny, second degree criminal possession of stolen property, second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and first-degree scheme to defraud. If convicted, they each face up to 25 years in prison.