By Sophia Chang
Timothy Rafferty, 49, allegedly went to the law firm of Manton, Sweeney, Gallo, Reich and Bolz in Forest Hills Monday afternoon with a woman posing as his wife, according to the DA. Thomas Manton, a partner in the firm, is the head of the Queens County Democratic Committee.Brown said Rafferty met with Michael Reich, an attorney who is also the Democratic committee's executive secretary, to refinance the mortgage on a house on Willow Street that is solely owned by Rafferty's wife Marie.Rafferty's companion allegedly produced a fake New York state driver's license and American passport in Marie Rafferty's name but with the hired woman's picture, Brown said. The woman signed and initialized a mortgage security agreement multiple times in the name of Marie Rafferty, refinancing the house with Emigrant Mortgage Company, Inc. for $900,000, the DA said.While it was unclear how the fraudulent documents were discovered, Brown said Rafferty and the woman attempted to flee after the papers' discovery, but Rafferty was detained at the law office by some of the law firm's staff and later arrested by members of the DA's Detective Squad. Rafferty is charged with attempted grand larceny, criminal possession of a forged instrument, attempted identity theft, falsifying business records and criminal impersonation, the DA said. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.The one-time stock trader admitted to paying an individual $3,500 for the fake driver's license, passport and hiring a woman to pose as his wife so that he could refinance the house, Brown said. The woman is still being sought, according to the DA.Rafferty is also going to trial in federal court in Florida for his alleged participation in a $20 million securities fraud ring.Reach reporter Sophia Chang by e-mail at news@timesledger.com, or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
