Mark Cina, Mail Fraud, New York 2018

Mark Cina, a former comptroller of two Poughkeepsie companies, has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for his role in a multimillion-dollar mail fraud scheme. The scheme, which lasted for at least seven years, involved the embezzlement of millions of dollars from his employer, a Hudson Valley entrepreneur and small businessman.

According to the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Geoffrey S. Berman, Cina used the company’s funds for personal expenses, including gambling, rent, car washes, and even bail money for an arrestee. The scheme was uncovered in 2015, when the company’s owner reported to the New York State Police that a former employee had stolen company funds.

The investigation, which was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the New York State Police, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, and the Office’s Special Agents, revealed that Cina had made numerous unauthorized disbursements of the company’s funds, including payments to a mini-mart, a gas station, and even his own personal credit card bills.

Cina, 56, of Poughkeepsie, New York, was ordered to pay restitution in the total amount of $3,385,665 and forfeiture in the total amount of $2,548,820. The sentence is a result of Cina’s guilty plea in April 2018.

The case serves as a reminder that employee theft is a serious crime with severe consequences. ‘Theft like the defendant’s is intolerable, and today’s sentencing shows that an employee’s choice to engage in such a crime is a choice to go to prison,’ said Berman.

Cina’s actions not only financially harmed his employer but also compromised the trust and integrity of the company. The case highlights the importance of maintaining accurate financial records and conducting regular audits to prevent similar schemes.

Mark Cina’s sentencing is a significant victory for justice and a testament to the dedicated work of the investigative agencies involved in the case. The outcome serves as a warning to others who would consider engaging in similar crimes.

Related Federal Cases