BUFFALO — Kenneth Cassidy, 50, of Brooklyn, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with wire fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, between June 12, 2012 and December 21, 2015, the defendant opened approximately 117 fraudulent Lowe’s Accounts Receivable (LAR) accounts throughout the United States using counterfeit checks.
Once an account was opened, the defendant made fraudulent purchases of goods at Lowe’s until the funds were depleted or Lowe’s closed the account. Of the 117 accounts, three were opened at stores in the Western District of New York and purchases were made at stores throughout the Buffalo and Rochester areas. Although the criminal complaint indicates a total loss totaling $1,750,000, it is now believed that the loss amount is $2,800,000.
The defendant made an initial appearance this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is being held pending a detention hearing on Wednesday.
from US Dept. of Justice via IFTTT
