By Kelsey Durham
A Forest Hills man is facing charges for allegedly continuing to collect more than $56,000 in Holocaust reparations under his mother’s name for four years after her death, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
Gary Jacoby, 61, was arrested July 31 after an investigation by the NYPD’s Queens District Attorney Squad revealed he was allegedly pocketing money that his mother, a Holocaust survivor, was entitled to while she was alive, the DA’s office said.
He was arraigned later that day on a six-count indictment, including one count of second-degree grand larceny and five counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, the DA said.
According to the criminal complaint, Jacoby’s mother, Laura Jacoby, had been receiving money each year from the German Pension Insurance Co. that was set to be legally terminated after her death.
The 93-year-old Holocaust survivor died Jan. 9, 2008, but Jacoby continued to deposit a total of $56,932 from the German government into his mother’s checking account until February 2012, the DA’s office said.
Jacoby allegedly presented a notary with papers containing his mother’s signature each year during the four-year period, claiming she was still alive and entitled to the yearly settlements, according to the DA.
The DA also said Jacoby allegedly traveled to the German embassy in March 2012 and stated in person that his mother was still alive.
Jacoby was released after his arraignment and ordered to return to court Oct. 14. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, the DA said.
Reach reporter Kelsey Durham at 718-260-4573 or by e-mail at kdurham@cnglocal.com.
