Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the sentencing of Charles Angelillo, 41, of Eastport, for his role in a conspiracy to defraud the state of over $200,000 by submitting false invoices over a two year period for HVAC equipment, supplies, and labor. The defendant, who pled guilty last October, must release the state of all obligations for the bogus invoices, refund $10,000 he admits stealing, and is banned from bidding on or receiving public contracts with the state, any municipality, public benefit corporations, or other public body for five years.
“This corrupt vendor thought he could double or triple his bills to the state, and he got caught red-handed,” said State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. “I will continue to work with Attorney General Schneiderman to root out corruption and to ensure that taxpayers are protected and state money is properly spent.”
“Today’s sentencing makes it clear that when contractors falsify invoices and defraud taxpayers, there will be consequences,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Ordinary New Yorkers work too hard to have their tax dollars squandered by the dishonest and criminal actions of contractors.”
Angelillo pled guilty to the crime of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class E felony as part of a plea agreement. Attorney General Schneiderman originally accused Angelillo with falsifying business records for a series of emergency contracts with the state Office of General Services from 2010 to 2012 on state contracts for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, supplies and labor.
The defendant was charged with multiple felonies including grand larceny in the second degree, falsifying business records, and other charges.
The joint investigation revealed that almost immediately after receiving their first contract, Angelillo started submitting false bills to the state for equipment he never purchased. Later, he forged invoices to double or triple the amount the state owed him. In 2011, Angelillo allegedly enlisted a co-defendant, who has also pled guilty, to join the scheme. Together, the defendants attempted to deceive the state into paying more than $200,000 in inflated payments.
This sentencing is the latest in the combined efforts of the Comptroller and Attorney General’s Joint Task Force on Public Integrity which has resulted in dozens of public corruption arrests and more than $5 million in restitution.
The joint investigation was conducted with the Comptroller’s Division of Investigations. The Attorney General’s case was investigated by Investigator Ismael Hernandez with support from Legal Support Analyst Jacqui Brown. The case was prosecuted by Special Counsel John Spagna.
DiNapoli encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by filing a complaint online at [email protected], or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Investigations Unit, 14th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.