A.G. Schneiderman Announces Guilty Plea Of Bronx County Man Who Orchestrated Theft Of Thousands Of Dollars In Forged Checks
Jose Castillo Pilfered Blank Checks That Had Been Delivered To His Neighbor
Schneiderman: Those Who Illegally Profit At The Expense Of Innocent Citizens Will Be Held Accountable
New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman recently announced the guilty plea of Jose Castillo for orchestrating a forged check cashing scheme. As part of his guilty plea, Castillo will receive a sentence of 6 months in jail and five years’ probation.
The Attorney General's investigation revealed that Jose Castillo, 54, of Brooklyn, New York, pilfered blank checks that had been delivered to his neighbor through the United States mail at the apartment building where he lived. Castillo then forged dates, amounts, and signatures on the checks, and instructed others to cash the forged checks at TD Bank branches in the Bronx and elsewhere in NYC. Castillo pocketed a portion of the illegal proceeds for himself and paid off his associates with the remainder. Two other individuals have already pleaded guilty for their roles in this scheme. Castillo has been in jail on $200,000 bail since his arrest on May 14, 2015.
“Nobody should have to worry that their neighbor is taking their mail and cutting forged checks under their name,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “Our message is clear: we will not tolerate this type of theft which preys on unsuspecting New Yorkers.”
Castillo appeared in Bronx County Supreme Court before the Honorable Steven Barrett, and pleaded guilty to Forgery in the Second Degree, a class "D" felony. Sentencing is scheduled for July 31st.
The Attorney General thanked the New York State Department of Financial Services for their assistance in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Isaac Gilwit and Hugh McLean of the Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau's Crime Proceeds Strike Force. The Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau is led by Bureau Chief Gary Fishman and Deputy Bureau Chiefs Stephanie Swenton and Meryl Lutsky. The Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau is part of the Criminal Justice Division, led by Executive Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice Kelly Donovan.
The Attorney General's investigation was conducted by Investigator David Negron under the direction of Supervising Investigator John Sullivan and Deputy Chief John McManus, and Investigators Mark Spencer and Scott Petucci under the direction of Deputy Chief Antoine Karam of the Investigations Bureau. The Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Dominick Zarrella.