Wire fraud has landed a Williamsville man in prison for 27 months. Nicholas Mussolini, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara for his role in an advance fee scheme that defrauded investment companies.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito, Jr., Mussolini and his co-conspirators targeted a film production company, Applecreek Productions, located in England, and convinced them to part with over $400,000. The company was promised a standby letter of credit from banks outside the United States, which would provide them with $100 million in loans.
Mussolini required the company to provide him with $500,000 to cover the costs associated with the financial transaction. However, instead of using the money to obtain financing, Mussolini and his co-conspirators used the funds for their own purposes. This was not an isolated incident, as Mussolini committed similar acts with several other companies seeking financial backing.
The scheme resulted in significant financial losses for the victims, with Mussolini being ordered to pay $1,028,782 in restitution. The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Cohen.
U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced the sentencing, stating that the defendant’s actions were a clear example of wire fraud. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito, Jr., who worked to bring Mussolini to justice.
The investigation and subsequent sentencing serve as a reminder that wire fraud will not be tolerated. The Federal Bureau of Investigations and the U.S. Attorney’s office will continue to work together to bring those who engage in such activities to justice. For more information, contact Barbara Burns at (716) 843-5817 or fax (716) 551-3051.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito, Jr. for their efforts in bringing Mussolini to justice. The case highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in combating wire fraud and other financial crimes.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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