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Amherst Man Sentenced to 47 Months in Prison for Witness Tampering and Tax Evasion
BUFFALO, N.Y. – In a shocking case of witness intimidation and tax evasion, Gary Drago, 59, of Amherst, N.Y., was sentenced to 47 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. Drago was convicted of witness tampering and failure to file an income tax return.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti, Drago’s crimes began when he started working at a medical business in Williamsville, N.Y. Between 2013 and May 20, 2017, Drago took a total of $129,792 from the business without providing any employment services in return. When confronted by the business owner about the money, Drago would threaten force or physical harm.
But that was just the beginning. On May 19, 2017, the Federal Bureau of Investigation received information from an individual (Victim) regarding threats, theft, and extortionate acts that Drago made against the Victim and the Victim’s business. The Victim advised the FBI that he had a meeting with the Amherst Police Department regarding these crimes the very next day.
However, an employee of the Victim overheard the conversation with the FBI, and notified Drago. Drago then arrived at the Victim’s place of business, and told the Victim’s patients that the Victim was done seeing patients that day. Drago then physically took the Victim from his place of business and placed the Victim in his car. Once in the car, the defendant threatened the Victim with a pistol, and slapped the Victim, telling the Victim that he heard the Victim was talking with law enforcement.
The Victim told Drago that he spoke to the FBI and was going to meet with the Amherst Police the next day. While continuing to threaten the Victim, Drago told the Victim to call the FBI and tell them that everything was okay, which the Victim did. Drago then let the Victim go home.
Later that same night, the defendant repeatedly called the Victim and left messages on his voice mail threatening the Victim, and reminding the Victim not to cooperate with the FBI, or go to the meeting with the Amherst Police the next day.
Drago’s sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; and the Amherst Police Department. Drago was also ordered to pay $129,793 in restitution to the victim and $19,007 restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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