Related Federal Cases
Brooklyn Fish Dealer Sentenced For Wire Fraud
A Brooklyn fish dealer has been sentenced to four months in prison for his role in systematically underreporting fluke harvested as part of the federal Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program. Alan Dresner, a federally-licensed fish dealer from Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. He was sentenced to four months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, fined $6000 and ordered to make a $15,000 community service payment to the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County.
As part of his scheme, Dresner falsified and submitted at least 120 fisheries dealer reports from July 2009 to December 2011. The false reports represented a loss of 246,376 pounds of fluke valued at $510,000. Dresner was also ordered to pay $510,000 in restitution to the Marine Resources Account of the New York State Conservation Fund. His federal dealer license was revoked and he was banned from accessing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) SAFIS computer system.
“Today, Dresner was held accountable for his role in defrauding a federal research program, a program whose purpose is to help ensure the long-term sustainability of Long Island’s fisheries,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Sam Hirsch for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We are committed to protecting the natural resources that the American people depend on today and for future generations as well.”
Dresner’s scheme involved working with Anthony Joseph, captain of the F/V Stirs One, who was consistently overharvesting fluke through his abuse of the RSA Program. Joseph would mail falsified fishing logs, known as FVTRs, to NOAA, while Dresner would submit false dealer reports to cover up the illegal fishing. The scheme resulted in the loss of 246,376 pounds of fluke valued at $510,000.
The Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division announced the sentencing. “This scheme to land tremendous amounts of overages for profit was not only detrimental to the RSA program, but also to the law abiding fishermen who will not be able to participate in this program in 2015,” said NOAA Special Agent Logan Gregory.
Dresner is also known as “Fish Dealer X” in the related case of U.S. v. Anthony Joseph. His sentencing serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the natural resources that the American people depend on today and for future generations. The Justice Department will continue to hold individuals accountable for their role in defrauding federal research programs and other environmental crimes.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime|Environmental Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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