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Brooklyn Fish Dealer Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud
A federal investigation has led to a guilty plea from Alan Dresner, a federally-licensed fish dealer from Brooklyn, N.Y. Dresner pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in federal court in Central Islip, N.Y., on October 22, 2014.
According to the investigation, Dresner systematically underreported fluke (summer flounder) harvested as part of the federal Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program. The scheme involved Dresner’s personal falsification and internet submission of at least 120 fisheries dealer reports from July 2009 to December 2011.
The scheme resulted in the defrauding of the United States of 246,376 pounds of overharvested and underreported fluke valued at $510,000. As part of the plea deal, Dresner agreed to pay a fine and restitution totaling between $516,000 and $577,000.
In addition to the fines and restitution, Dresner also agreed to make a $15,000 community service payment to the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County. The payment will fund the enhancement of fluke habitat through the C.C.E.’s Marine Meadows Program.
The guilty plea also includes the relinquishment of Dresner’s federal dealer license and a ban on accessing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) SAFIS computer system.
Dresner’s involvement in the scheme was first discovered through an investigation into Anthony Joseph, captain of the F/V Stirs One. Joseph was found to be consistently overharvesting fluke through his abuse of the RSA Program. Dresner made regular purchases of the illegally harvested fluke from Joseph at the Point Lookout, N.Y., waterfront.
The investigation showed that Dresner falsified fisheries dealer reports to cover up the illegal fishing. These reports are used by NOAA to set quotas and implement other management measures to ensure a sustainable fishery.
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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