“Shelter residents trusted David Aguero, a housing specialist, to help them secure stable places to live. As alleged, Aguero broke their trust and stole thousands of dollars from them,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Those who take advantage of New Yorkers desperate for homes in the midst of our housing crisis will be held accountable. This is an ongoing investigation. If you or someone you know may be a victim, please call us at 212-335-3600, regardless of your immigration status.”

“New Yorkers trusted Juan Valoy to rent them apartments. He broke that trust by pocketing their money, leaving them without homes,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Juan Valoy is facing time in state prison for his harmful conduct. Manhattan is facing a housing crisis, and we will prosecute those who exploit it for their own advantage”

“When you defraud the State, you steal from all 20 million New Yorkers,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Our investigations with the New York State Comptroller uncovered nearly $1 million of theft from the public fisc. The crimes alleged in both indictments targeted funds intended to support students, from grade schoolers to college students. I thank the Comptroller’s Office for its partnership and commitment to rooting out fraud committed at the taxpayers’ expense.” 

“The defendant callously exploited his position in a senior living community to allegedly steal from nearly two dozen elderly New Yorkers,” said District Attorney Bragg. “One of the alleged victims was 92-years of age. Financial loss for older individuals can be absolutely devastating, and we will continue to use every tool available to address and prevent these types of pernicious schemes.”

“As alleged, these defendants worked together to orchestrate an elaborate fraud, disguising their theft with layers of falsified paperwork and fabricated companies,” said District Attorney Bragg. “In total, we allege, this complex scheme defrauded commercial funders of more than $76 million. I thank my office’s prosecutors and all of our law enforcement partners for their work leading to today’s indictment.”