JANAE HUNTER
A woman has been arrested and indicted after running a long-time scheme to steal from Queens residents, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Thursday.
Sonia Vertucci, 42, of New Rochelle has been charged with scheme to defraud, grand larceny and petit larceny after failing to deliver on promises she gave predominantly to immigrant clients, according to officials.
The attorney’s general’s investigation revealed that Vertucci, who recently moved from Queens, collected $38,000 in upfront cash payments for services she did not deliver on between 2012 and 2013. Some of Vertucci’s services included providing Social Security cards and obtaining legal residency status for immigrants, and clearing tickets and license suspensions for truck drivers to help them return to work.
“Scam artists who prey on immigrants, or other hardworking New Yorkers, with false promises will not be tolerated in our state,” Schneiderman said. “No matter how elaborate their schemes, those who defraud New Yorkers will face justice.”
If convicted, Vertucci faces up to seven years or more in prison.
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of Vertucci should call the attorney general’s immigration fraud hotline at 1-866-390-2992.
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