Two men from Webster, NY, have pleaded guilty to their role in a massive scheme to defraud the Xerox Corporation. Anthony Fretto and Daniel Streff, both of Webster, NY, were charged with mail fraud and money laundering conspiracy in a federal indictment that also named Clarkson Auto Electric, Inc. and nine other individuals.
Rochester, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Fretto and Streff pleaded guilty before U.S District Judge Frank P. Geraci. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley E. Tyler and Marisa J. Miller, who are handling the case, stated that Fretto is a principal owner of Clarkson Auto Electric, Inc. and Streff is a former Xerox forklift mechanic. The defendants conspired with others to submit false invoices to the Xerox Corporation requesting payment for new forklift parts that had not been delivered to Xerox, and for forklift part repairs that had not been done.
Fretto then conspired with others to launder the illegally obtained proceeds received from Xerox. Four of the nine defendants charged in the case have been convicted. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation into the scam was led by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Shantelle P. Kitchen, Acting Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Shelly Binkowski.
Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for January 6, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci. The pleas are the culmination of a long and extensive investigation into the scheme, which has now resulted in convictions for several defendants.
The Xerox Corporation scam is a stark reminder of the importance of being vigilant in business dealings and the severe consequences that can result when individuals choose to engage in fraudulent activities.
Key Figures: Anthony Fretto, Daniel Streff, William J. Hochul, Jr., Frank P. Geraci, Bradley E. Tyler, Marisa J. Miller, Shantelle P. Kitchen, Shelly Binkowski
Related Federal Cases
- Tax Refund Scam Lands NY Man, Springfield Relative in Hot Water · Massachusetts
- FLA. Men Bilked Victims of $12M in Fake Loan Scheme · New York
- Brooklyn Man Accused of $1.2M COVID Loan Scam · New Jersey
- West Point Staffer Pilfered $3M in Fake Training Scam · New York
- Nassau Woman Nabbed in $25K Tax Check Scam · New York
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
White Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar Crime