fraud

Delaware Man Arrested for Home Improvement Fraud

Delaware man arrested for home improvement fraud - photo licensed by shore news network.

Georgetown Man Arrested for Home Improvement Fraud

**Georgetown, DE** – A 58-year-old man from Georgetown, Delaware, Dave Moncavage, has been arrested by the Delaware State Police for home improvement fraud.

Since October, Troop 4 Financial Crimes Detectives have been investigating Moncavage, who operates under the business name Advanced Interiors. He had reportedly engaged with two victims for construction jobs, accepting over $24,000 in payments, but failing to complete the projects.

On Wednesday at around 2:59 PM, a trooper spotted a white Ford F-150 traveling on Mount Zion Road in Seaford. The truck was stopped after losing a load of material, and Moncavage was identified as the driver and subsequently arrested due to outstanding warrants for home improvement fraud and capias. A search also led to the discovery of drug paraphernalia.

Moncavage was processed at Troop 5, charged with several offenses including home improvement fraud and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was later released on a $5,000 unsecured bond. Detectives are encouraging anyone who may have been defrauded similarly to contact their office or Delaware Crime Stoppers.

New York Federal Jury Convicts Florida Man of Mail Fraud

New york federal jury convicts florida man of mail fraud - photo licensed by shore news network.

Federal Jury Convicts Florida Man of Mail Fraud

**Central Islip, NY** – A federal jury in Central Islip, New York, has found Phillip Priolo, 61, a resident of Hallandale Beach, Florida, guilty of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and four counts of mail fraud. Priolo was charged in November 2021 for running a mass mailing fraud scheme that defrauded thousands, mostly elderly individuals, by promising them false prizes.

During the trial, evidence demonstrated that from March 2015 to December 2016, Priolo and his partners mailed millions of misleading prize notices. These notices falsely claimed recipients had been chosen for a significant cash prize, contingent upon paying a fee. Instead of the promised reward, payees received nothing, confirming that the mailings were mass-produced and not personalized.

Both the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service emphasized their commitment to protecting elderly citizens from such fraudulent schemes. Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth acknowledged the thorough investigation by the Postal Inspection Service, and Inspector in Charge Eric Shen stressed the vulnerability of older demographics to financial exploitation.

Priolo will face sentencing later this year before U.S. District Judge Nusrat Jahan Choudh

Montgomery County Man Sentenced for Home Improvement Fraud

Montgomery county man sentenced for home improvement fraud - photo licensed by shore news network.

Montgomery County Man Sentenced for Home Improvement Fraud

**Harrisburg, PA** – Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that Jared Wyllie, 48, from Montgomery County, was sentenced to three to six years in state prison alongside two years of probation for failing to complete home improvement work. The victims collectively lost more than $156,000 due to his actions, and Wyllie has been ordered to pay this amount back in restitution.

An investigation revealed that between 2021 and 2022, Wyllie operated under the business name PROjex, LLC. He entered into contracts with four different homeowners, taking upfront payments while misusing another contractor’s license information. Several victims testified in court, including one who had to sell their home at a loss after paying over $100,000 for incomplete repairs.

Wyllie falsely claimed to be a licensed and registered contractor but had no contractor number under his name or business. The first complaints reported substandard repairs, with losses exceeding $16,400. Another victim contracted him for roof repairs costing $27,900.10, but Wyllie only installed a plastic tarp after promising roof repairs and collecting additional funds.

Attorney General Sunday emphasized the importance of consumers conducting research before hiring

Queens Supreme Court to hear case on stolen homes, real estate fraud

Queens supreme court to hear case on stolen homes, real estate fraud - photo licensed by shore news network.

Four Indicted for Allegedly Stealing Homes in Queens

**Queens, NY** – Four men and three companies have been charged with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, conspiracy, and other crimes related to the alleged theft of three homes in Queens neighborhoods. Carl Avinger, Autumn Valeri, Lawrence T. Ray, and Torey Guice surrendered on Tuesday and were arraigned for their alleged roles in a fraud scheme involving falsified documents and false deeds recorded from March to July 2023.

According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, the defendants targeted properties to commit theft, forged documents, and filed false instruments with the city to illegally obtain homes. Avinger, Valeri, and Ray were arraigned on a 47-count indictment involving multiple charges, while Guice faced charges on the same indictment with slightly fewer accusations.

Supreme Court Justice Leigh Cheng has ordered the defendants to appear in court again on April 29. If convicted, Ray and Valeri could face up to 25 years in prison, Avinger faces up to 25 years as well, and Guice could see a sentence ranging from five to 15 years.

The fraudulent activities in question include filing false deed transfers for properties in

California Man Convicted in $4 Million Medicare Fraud

California man convicted in $4 million medicare fraud - photo licensed by shore news network.

California Man Convicted in $4 Million Medicare Fraud

**DETROIT, MI** – A federal jury convicted a man from California for defrauding Medicare of over $4 million through fraudulent urine drug testing claims. Sherif Khalil, 50, of Redondo Beach, was found guilty of submitting claims for tests that were not requested by doctors.

Khalil owned Spectra Clinical Labs, a toxicology lab in Gardena, California, and was involved in a scheme where he paid marketers for obtaining expensive drug test orders from doctors. The payments were disguised by channeling them through marketing companies under Khalil’s control.

Medicare paid out over $4 million for these unnecessary tests, resulting from the illegal kickbacks. Khalil faces sentencing on August 7, with potential penalties of up to 20 years for health care fraud and five years for conspiracy related charges.

The case was announced by officials from the Justice Department, the FBI, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Trial Attorneys prosecuted the case as part of the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program.

Brooklyn Resident Arrested on Terrorism and Immigration Fraud Charges

Brooklyn resident arrested on terrorism and immigration fraud charges - photo licensed by shore news network.

Brooklyn Resident Arrested on Terrorism and Immigration Fraud Charges

**Brooklyn, NY** – Mansuri Manuchekhri, a 33-year-old resident of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly conspiring to support ISIS and ISIS-K, unlawful possession of firearms, and immigration fraud. The arrest was made the same day, and his initial court appearance took place in the Eastern District of New York in the afternoon.

Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the Department of Justice’s zero-tolerance policy for terrorism, stating they are committed to prosecuting those who threaten American citizens. FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the efforts to prevent terrorism, noting Manuchekhri allegedly sent funds to ISIS affiliates. The Justice Department, led by Sue Bai, is focused on preventing the exploitation of immigration and financial systems.

Allegedly, Manuchekhri entered the United States from Tajikistan on a tourist visa in June 2016 but overstayed after the visa expired in December 2016. In a bid to gain legal status, he allegedly entered into a sham marriage in March 2017, which was never approved due to his failure to provide necessary documentation.

From December 2021 to April 2023, Man

Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud Scheme

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Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud Scheme

**Jackson, MS** – A Florida resident has admitted guilt in a case involving a decade-long scheme promoting an illicit tax shelter and committing wire fraud. The individual also confessed to aiding in the preparation of false tax returns for clients using the shelter.

Stephen T. Mellinger III of Delray Beach worked as a financial advisor, insurance salesman, and securities broker in various states. Since late 2013, he and his accomplices marketed an illegal tax shelter, encouraging clients to claim inappropriate deductions for “royalty payments” to unlawfully minimize their taxes.

Court documents reveal these royalty payments constituted a deceptive money flow, creating the facade of legitimate business expenses. Clients would transfer funds to accounts managed by Mellinger and his partners, who would return the sum—minus their fee—to an account controlled by the client, allowing them to claim false deductions.

Through the scheme, clients claimed over $106 million in misleading tax deductions, leading to a $37 million tax loss for the IRS. Mellinger and one unnamed co-conspirator reportedly earned approximately $3 million from the operations. They also misappropriated over $2.1 million from clients under investigation, some of which M

PA Office ofTwo Philadelphia Caregivers Sentenced for Neglect and Fraud

Pa office oftwo philadelphia caregivers sentenced for neglect and fraud - photo licensed by shore news network.

Two Philadelphia Caregivers Sentenced for Neglect and Fraud

**HARRISBURG, PA** – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced prison and probation sentences for two Philadelphia direct care workers responsible for neglecting a quadriplegic relative, resulting in critical hospitalization.

Rashina Long and Jasmine Long, the victim’s mother and sister, pleaded guilty in September to charges of neglecting a care-dependent person and committing Medicaid fraud. On Thursday, both women were sentenced to two to four years in prison, followed by seven years of probation. Additionally, they are barred from working as care workers during this time.

The victims’ relatives, Rashina Long, 48, and Jasmine Long, 33, were employed to assist with tasks like bathing and meal preparation. Their neglect led to hospitalization of the victim in October 2022.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office investigation revealed fraudulent billing to Medicaid exceeding $140,000 between December 2021 and September 2022. The victim suffered severe pressure wounds, malnourishment, and dehydration, necessitating several medical procedures.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Benjamin McKenna prosecuted the case.