Latest news with #JohnA.SarconeIII
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CoreLife Eatery to pay $7.8 million for falsely claiming relief funds
ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – A local healthy restaurant chain is on the hook for over $7.8 million in restitution after admitting to falsely certifying its eligibility for a restaurant relief fund during the pandemic in 2021, the Department of Justice announced Monday. CoreLife Eatery, LLC, which has locations throughout New York, Pennsylvania and other states, including a Vestal location, will pay $7,809,373 for violating the False Claims Act. In 2021, Congress enacted the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualifying restaurants would be eligible for grants to subsidize their pandemic-related losses and stay in business. 'Under the program, any restaurant that—together with its affiliated businesses—owned or operated more than 20 locations as of March 13, 2020, was ineligible for RRF funding,' the release said. CoreLife, as part of the settlement for $7.8 million, admitted to owning and operating 29 locations as of the March 13, 2020, deadline. 'The Restaurant Revitalization Fund was created to support certain small businesses facing the economic hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic,' said United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III. 'By submitting false information about its size to obtain a grant, CoreLife not only diverted funds from eligible recipients but also eroded public trust in critical relief efforts. Our office remains committed to enforcing the False Claims Act and holding accountable those who misrepresent their eligibility for federal funding,' Sarcone III added. The relator in the settlement will receive nearly $1.2 million. President Trump suggests new trade deals could come this week Business of the Week: Warehouse Carpet & Flooring Outlets Police week kicks-off with Binghamton flag raising President Trump wants to reopen Alcatraz Operation Babylift 50 years later: Crash survivor keeps history alive Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Walton man facing 30 years in prison for child sexual exploitation
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – A Walton man, if found guilty of sexual exploitation of a child, is facing at least 15 years in federal prison, United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the FBI announced Friday. 19-year-old Jerry Butler III, of Walton, made his initial appearance in court Friday, May 2, for a charge of sexual exploitation of a child. Butler III is accused of using social media to request sexually explicit content from a minor. The minor allegedly made the content for Butler III and sent it to him using a social media messaging app. Butler III was detained pending a hearing scheduled for May 5, 2025. If Butler III is convicted of the offense, he faces at least 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a supervised release term of at least 5 years and up to life. Butler III also would have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. The FBI is in charge of the investigation. SUNY Broome simulates disaster scenarios with local EMS Binghamton students celebrate Israeli Independence Day American Civic Association's annual All Nation's Parade and Festival Windsor students learn different jobs in medical field Brookside students get their hands dirty in the garden with CCE Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US Secret Service seizes website tied to ‘pig butchering' scam that defrauded Americans of more than $4.5M
The U.S. Secret Service in New York has seized a second web domain tied to a growing type of cryptocurrency scam known as 'pig butchering,' in which scammers build trust with their victims before financially gutting them through fake crypto investment platforms. The Secret Service reports that from November 2023 to March 2024, the domain was used in a scheme that defrauded a New York State victim out of $172,405.61. Other victims of the same site reportedly lost more than $4.5 million combined. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how 'By seizing this website, we are able to strike a blow to a criminal organization that financially victimized numerous individuals, including a member of our community and senior citizens around the country,' said United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III. This follows the seizure of another domain, in May 2024. Both sites were part of a larger operation designed to lure victims into fake crypto investments that vanished without a trace once the funds were transferred. 'Pig butchering' scams get their name from the process scammers use. Like fattening up a pig before slaughter, victims are groomed over time through fake online relationships, only to be financially exploited at the end. Many people have lost a lot through these types of relationships, including their entire life savings and their homes. Scammers typically initiate contact via social media, dating apps or messaging platforms. They create a friendly or romantic bond, slowly introducing the idea of investing in cryptocurrency. Once trust is gained, the scammer sends the victim a link to a professional-looking, but fake, trading platform — such as in the New York case. In this instance, the victim was led to believe they were participating in a legitimate crypto investment. After they transferred money as instructed, the funds — more than $172,000 — were quickly laundered through numerous bank accounts to hide the source, ultimately becoming unrecoverable. Read more: The US stock market's 'fear gauge' has exploded — but this 1 'shockproof' asset is up 14% and helping American retirees stay calm. Here's how to own it ASAP Pig butchering scams are on the rise, particularly as cryptocurrency continues to become more mainstream and unregulated. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported that investment scams cost victims more than $3.3 billion in 2022, with cryptocurrency-related schemes representing $2.57 billion — a 183% increase from $907 million the year before. Many of these were pig butchering cases. Among these cases, older Americans are specifically targeted. The FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report noted individuals over 60 experienced losses of $3.4 billion in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year. Keep these things in mind to protect yourself — and your aging loved ones — from pig butchering scams. Be skeptical of unsolicited online relationships, especially when conversations quickly shift to financial opportunities. Verify any investment platform through independent research. If a site isn't listed on FINRA's BrokerCheck or doesn't have verifiable company information, it may be fake. Avoid apps or websites recommended by strangers, even if they look professional. Never send money or crypto to someone you've only met online. Consult a financial advisor or cybersecurity expert if you're unsure about an investment opportunity. Report suspicious activity to the FTC or local law enforcement immediately. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US Secret Service seizes website tied to ‘pig butchering' scam that defrauded Americans of more than $4.5M
The U.S. Secret Service in New York has seized a second web domain tied to a growing type of cryptocurrency scam known as 'pig butchering,' in which scammers build trust with their victims before financially gutting them through fake crypto investment platforms. The Secret Service reports that from November 2023 to March 2024, the domain was used in a scheme that defrauded a New York State victim out of $172,405.61. Other victims of the same site reportedly lost more than $4.5 million combined. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how 'By seizing this website, we are able to strike a blow to a criminal organization that financially victimized numerous individuals, including a member of our community and senior citizens around the country,' said United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III. This follows the seizure of another domain, in May 2024. Both sites were part of a larger operation designed to lure victims into fake crypto investments that vanished without a trace once the funds were transferred. 'Pig butchering' scams get their name from the process scammers use. Like fattening up a pig before slaughter, victims are groomed over time through fake online relationships, only to be financially exploited at the end. Many people have lost a lot through these types of relationships, including their entire life savings and their homes. Scammers typically initiate contact via social media, dating apps or messaging platforms. They create a friendly or romantic bond, slowly introducing the idea of investing in cryptocurrency. Once trust is gained, the scammer sends the victim a link to a professional-looking, but fake, trading platform — such as in the New York case. In this instance, the victim was led to believe they were participating in a legitimate crypto investment. After they transferred money as instructed, the funds — more than $172,000 — were quickly laundered through numerous bank accounts to hide the source, ultimately becoming unrecoverable. Read more: The US stock market's 'fear gauge' has exploded — but this 1 'shockproof' asset is up 14% and helping American retirees stay calm. Here's how to own it ASAP Pig butchering scams are on the rise, particularly as cryptocurrency continues to become more mainstream and unregulated. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported that investment scams cost victims more than $3.3 billion in 2022, with cryptocurrency-related schemes representing $2.57 billion — a 183% increase from $907 million the year before. Many of these were pig butchering cases. Among these cases, older Americans are specifically targeted. The FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report noted individuals over 60 experienced losses of $3.4 billion in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year. Keep these things in mind to protect yourself — and your aging loved ones — from pig butchering scams. Be skeptical of unsolicited online relationships, especially when conversations quickly shift to financial opportunities. Verify any investment platform through independent research. If a site isn't listed on FINRA's BrokerCheck or doesn't have verifiable company information, it may be fake. Avoid apps or websites recommended by strangers, even if they look professional. Never send money or crypto to someone you've only met online. Consult a financial advisor or cybersecurity expert if you're unsure about an investment opportunity. Report suspicious activity to the FTC or local law enforcement immediately. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S. Attorney meets with staff at Syracuse's United States Attorney's Office
SYRAUSE, N.Y (WSYR–TV)– United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III met with Syracuse's staff of the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York on March 26. The Northern District of New York encompasses 32 counties in Northern and Central New York, and employs staff in offices in Syracuse, Albany, Binghamton, and Plattsburgh. The Syracuse Office employs 21 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and 21 support personnel. While visiting, Sarcone addressed the staff and expressed his desire to support the important work done by the DOJ. 'I will bring leadership to an office that has extensive experience in the district,' he said. 15 DOCCS staff members being investigated for inmate death at Mid-State Correctional Facility U.S. Attorney meets with staff at Syracuse's United States Attorney's Office Chicken sales can soon resume at Regional Market store after follow-up testing shows no more signs of bird flu The MOST opens new Onondaga Grown exhibit in partnership with the Food Bank of CNY Syracuse isn't done with winter just yet He also highlighted his plan to fight for funding and resources to continue to do the work and address the surge of illegal immigration and associated crime at the Northern border. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
