New Texts Emerge In Mystery Death Of Designer Aboard Investor’s Hamptons Boat: Report
A Long Island designer found dead on a boat last year complained of being “harassed” by her company’s only investor days before her body was found on his boat, according to a new report.
Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra, 33, had even blocked Christopher Durnan, 61, for months to ignore his calls and texts, the New York Post reported Saturday, Aug. 15.
But Nolan-O’Slatarra’s business partner, Dylan Grace, convinced her to unblock Durnan because he was now on the receiving end of Durnan’s communication, according to the Post. Durnan was concerned about fraud by the operators, according to texts obtain…
No Floors, No Refunds: East Islip Flooring Contractor Admits $90K Hamptons Rip-Offs, DA Says
A Long Island flooring contractor has admitted to stealing $90,000 and bailing on three projects, authorities announced Thursday, Aug. 13.
Leones Martins Rodrigues, 40, of East Islip, took the money for three jobs across Southampton and East Hampton from May 2022 to February 2024, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said. Martins Rodrigues was the owner of Smart Flooring.
But instead of completing the work, Martins Rodrigues simply drained his accounts to pay down outstanding debts, investigators said. He never even purchased any hardwood flooring as promised, according to authori…
Fake Youth Basketball Operator Scams Saratoga County Parents Out Of $1K, Cops Say
A New York man created a fake youth basketball team and scammed parents out of more than $1,000, authorities said Monday, Aug. 10.
Norbert A. Sygdziak, 44, of Milton, collected money from several parents for their children to join a basketball team, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office said.
With no basketball games occurring, the parents filed a series of complaints, leading to Sygdziak’s arrest on Tuesday, July 21, authorities said. He was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, first- and second-degree scheme to defraud, and five counts of petit larceny.
Sygdziak carried out his schem…
Wallingford School PTO Treasurer Stole $22K From Elementary School Group, Police Say
A former Connecticut elementary school PTO treasurer is accused of stealing about $22,000 from the organization that supports local students and teachers.
Erica L. Vitale, 39, of Wallingford, was arrested Friday, July 17, according to police. She served as treasurer for the Highland Elementary School PTO and had full access to the group's funds.
The PTO claims $22,000 is missing from their accounts, and Vitale cannot account for it, police explained.
Vitale is charged with first-degree larceny and fraudulent use of an automated teller machine, Wallingford police said. She …
PA Corrections Officer Who Had Sex With Inmates, Ran ID Fraud Scheme Sentenced: AG
A former Pennsylvania corrections officer who admitted to having sexual relationships with multiple inmates while running an identity theft scheme from inside a state prison has been sentenced, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Friday, July 10.
Kristina Miller, 36, of Kane, was sentenced to 22 to 44 months in state prison after previously pleading guilty to institutional sexual assault, unlawful use of a computer, and conspiracy to commit identity theft, the Attorney General's Office said.
As part of her sentence, Miller was ordered to register as a sex offender under SORNA for 15 y…
