“Jonathan Ernest Girodes promised to reduce New Yorkers’ tax bills ethically and legally. Instead, he broke the trust of these older adults and a medical student and stole approximately $250,000 to line his own pockets,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Individuals who scam New Yorkers will be held accountable. If you are a victim of a financial crime, please call us at 212-335-8900.”
“Nicholas Fuelling used the housing crisis to his advantage by preying on hopeful renters who were looking for stable housing. With today’s guilty plea, he is being held accountable for his pernicious conduct, and these victims will be made whole,” said District Attorney Bragg. “New Yorkers deserve to find housing in Manhattan without having to worry about being scammed. If you are a victim of a rental scam, please call 212-335-3300 or email us at Danyhousing@dany.nyc.gov.”
“As alleged, Edith Capellan donned a cloak of legitimacy by impersonating federal agents and immigration service providers. She allegedly took advantage of immigrants in need of legal assistance obtaining work permits, permanent residency, and United States citizenship. We allege that she pocketed $25,000 from the very people she promised to help,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Our investigation is ongoing – please call us at 212-335-3600 if you may be a victim, regardless of immigration status. Those who prey on New York’s vibrant immigrant population will be prosecuted.”
“One of my top priorities since taking office is protecting everyday New Yorkers by prosecuting those who take advantage of them through wage theft, tenant harassment, and other targeted crimes. But at the Manhattan D.A.’s Office, we recognize that corporate entities often inflict equal or greater harm than individuals. We do not stop, therefore, at an individual landlord or employer – our goal is systemic accountability. Our Task Force will doggedly pursue the big picture: the high-level actors, corporations, and structures that enable and profit from crime at the expense of New Yorkers,” said Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg.
“New Yorkers should not have to worry that paying to park their car could end in identity theft,” said District Attorney Bragg. “This defendant allegedly went to extreme lengths in his attempts to steal personal information from New Yorkers, and I want to remind everyone that the city does not ask you to scan a QR code when parking. The unfortunate reality of modern technology is that routine tasks like parking a vehicle have become opportunities for scammers, and everyone must take extra precautions when entering their personal information online. We are here to help – anyone who believes they have been the victim of a scam or wants to report suspicious online activity should call us at 212-335-8900.”
