Two Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) employees have been caught up in a web of deceit and greed, pleading guilty to conspiring with another individual to engage in fraud on MTA excess vehicle auctions.
Dzmitry Yaniuk and Marina Yaniuk, husband and wife, engaged in a scheme to thwart the competitive bidding process on numerous excess vehicle auctions conducted by the MTA. Their co-conspirator, Timour Abramov, previously pleaded guilty to one count of fraud conspiracy on January 30.
As part of the conspiracy, Marina Yaniuk, an MTA sales specialist, provided Dzmitry Yaniuk and Abramov confidential pricing information in violation of MTA rules. This information gave them an unfair advantage in the bidding process, allowing them to submit the winning bid and secure the contract.
The guilty pleas are a result of an investigation conducted by the Antitrust Division’s New York Office, the Office of the MTA Inspector General, and the FBI Newark’s Atlantic City Resident Agency. Acting Assistant Chief Steven Tugander and Trial Attorneys Milosz Gudzowski, Dina Hoffer, and Richard Samboy are prosecuting the case.
The MTA’s riders and New York’s taxpayers trust government employees to put public service first. However, when public servants abuse their positions and cheat for personal gain, the Antitrust Division and its PCSF partners will hold them accountable, said Director Daniel Glad of the Justice Department’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF).
Dzmitry Yaniuk and Marina Yaniuk each pleaded guilty to one count of fraud conspiracy that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. The fines may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victim of the crime, if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine.
A federal district court judge will determine the defendants’ sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The guilty pleas are a significant blow to the MTA and a reminder that public servants will be held accountable for their actions.
Related Federal Cases
- Mark Thompson, Wire Fraud and Conspiracy, New York NY, 2023 · New York
- Todd Faustin, Workers’ Compensation Fraud, New York NY, 2023 · New York
- Kenneth Thom, Investment Adviser Fraud, New York NY, 2026 · California
- Kenneth Thom, Investment Adviser Fraud, New York NY, 2023 · New York
- Attyx CEOs, $275M Solar Panel Installation Fraud, New York NY, 2023 · New York
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News