Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 51-year-old Damian M. Baird of Clarence was arraigned this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Debra Givens on an indictment charging him with one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony), three counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and four counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree (Class “D” felonies).
It is alleged that between February 3, 2023 and March 15, 2023, the defendant, while working as an investment broker, fraudulent obtained a total of $153,503.00 from three clients in Erie County. The defendant allegedly deposited the victims’ checks into his personal bank account instead of their investment account. An investigation was conducted after one of the clients filed a dispute after being notified that their investment account had not been funded and their check had been altered to be made payable to the defendant.
Baird was released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail. A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.
If convicted of the highest charge, Baird faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.
DA Flynn commends Detective Mark Muscoreil of the Town of Tonawanda Police Department for his work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brian Dassero of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
