NEW HAVEN, CT – A New Haven man is facing a mountain of federal charges after a brazen scheme targeting gym-goers across Connecticut. Steven Finkler, 40, allegedly stole credit cards from unsuspecting members at multiple fitness centers, racking up thousands in fraudulent charges before quietly slipping the cards back into victims’ wallets.
The indictment, returned August 8, 2019, and resulting in Finkler’s arrest August 15, details a meticulously planned operation stretching from September 2018 to May 2019. Finkler, a repeat offender with a prior federal conviction for access device fraud, reportedly targeted lockers and other unattended areas while victims were actively using the gyms in Wallingford, Avon, North Haven, Madison, Glastonbury, and Branford. He didn’t just steal cards; he weaponized stolen identities.
Prosecutors allege Finkler used another individual’s identity to secure a membership at a fitness chain, providing him access to multiple locations. He then leveraged this stolen identity to open accounts with mobile device payment applications, creating a digital pipeline for the fraudulent charges. After making purchases, Finkler reportedly returned the cards to the victims’ belongings before they even realized they’d been compromised – a chilling detail highlighting the calculated nature of the crime.
The indictment lays out a formidable case against Finkler. He is charged with one count of access device fraud and four counts of wire fraud, each carrying a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. But the charges don’t stop there. Finkler also faces five counts of aggravated identity theft, each carrying a mandatory minimum of two years imprisonment. That adds up to a potential 120-year sentence if convicted on all counts.
U.S. Attorney Durham was quick to emphasize that the indictment is merely an accusation. “An indictment is not evidence of guilt,” Durham stated. “Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” Finkler pleaded not guilty at his arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport and remains detained pending trial.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Secret Service, the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, and multiple local police departments. Authorities are urging anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Finkler – who also goes by the alias “Andrew Finkler” – to contact the U.S. Secret Service at 203-865-2449. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarala Nagala and Margaret Maigret are prosecuting the case.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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