“These business owners exploited their workers – primarily undocumented, vulnerable New Yorkers – by devaluing their payrolls and scheming to avoid insurance premiums,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Moreover, Steven Lyon abused his role as a Certified Public Accountant, casting aside his fiscal duties at the expense of workers performing dangerous jobs. Thanks to the attorneys in my office and our many law enforcement partners, we returned $7,750,000 to the New York State Insurance Fund through this prosecution.”

“The affordable housing lottery is a crucial part of our city’s commitment to providing homes for New Yorkers of all backgrounds and incomes,” said District Attorney Bragg. “As alleged, this family manipulated that critical program to enrich themselves by lying and forging documents for years. We are laser-focused on ensuring integrity in our housing systems and protecting New York’s millions of tenants. I thank DOI and HPD for their partnership in investigating and enforcing this shared goal.” 

“This defendant has now returned more than $30,000 back to New York City thanks to the hard work of our prosecutors. During a time where our city budget is strained, our taxpayer dollars need to be put directly to services that will help New Yorkers. We will continue to prosecute those who defraud the public and think they can use city funds for their own personal use,” said District Attorney Bragg. 

“Juan Escobar went to great lengths to defraud New York State in order to increase his own bottom line. Hardworking New Yorkers should not be used as pawns by their employers in the pursuit of profit. Construction companies and their owners should be on notice that we will not tolerate this type of exploitation of workers and the public trust,” said District Attorney Bragg.

“As an attorney, Arthur Cohen knew full well that he was committing crimes when he stole from his own firm and lied in court documents in an attempt to avoid responsibility for the theft,” said District Attorney Bragg. “That attempt was unsuccessful, and today, he took accountability for his actions. He will now face a prison sentence commensurate with the breadth of his crimes.”