In a brazen scheme, 62-year-old John T. Cox, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced to 2 years of probation, including 180 days of home confinement, for mail fraud and stealing $122,251.25 from a federally funded governmental agency in Albany County.
According to court documents, Cox, a former Budget Analyst for the Albany County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), admitted to issuing 16 fraudulent checks drawn on funds in the care of the ACSO between June 2017 and February 2023. The stolen funds were used to pay off Cox’s line of credit or paid directly to him.
Cox’s scheme also involved falsifying ACSO records to conceal his wrongdoing. He attempted to cover up the theft by making it appear as though the funds were being used for legitimate purposes, such as vehicle and equipment purchases.
The ACSO received over $10,000 in federal funding each year during the time period in question. Cox’s actions also involved stealing from a Department of Justice program that shares the proceeds of federal asset forfeitures with state and local law enforcement agencies.
A United States District Judge imposed a $5,500 fine and ordered Cox to pay $122,251.25 in restitution to the ACSO. The FBI, DOJ OIG, and ACSO investigated the case with assistance from the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal prosecuted the case.
Cox’s actions have left a trail of financial devastation in the ACSO. The agency relies on federal funding to carry out its operations, and the loss of these funds will have a significant impact on the community.
The sentencing of John T. Cox serves as a reminder that corruption and theft will not be tolerated in government agencies. The public has a right to expect transparency and accountability from those in positions of power, and the justice system will continue to hold accountable those who abuse that trust.
Related Federal Cases
- Albany Man Sentenced to 18 Months for Stealing $1M in Federal Funds · Maryland
- Hardin Swindled Schools, Churches Out of $172K+ · New Jersey
- Georgia Man Busted for Port of Albany Deception · Georgia
- FLA. Men Bilked Victims of $12M in Fake Loan Scheme · New York
- Brooklyn Man Accused of $1.2M COVID Loan Scam · New Jersey
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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