U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross | U.S. Department of Justice
A North Carolina man, Nicholas Scarantino, has pleaded guilty to his involvement in a fraudulent scheme that defrauded hundreds of companies across the United States. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross in Rochester, New York.
Scarantino, aged 30, appeared before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford and admitted to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. This charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Resnick provided details of the case, explaining that Scarantino owned Direct Chemicals in California. Between July and November 2021, he conspired with others to send thousands of fake invoices under the name of Direct Chemicals to various victim companies nationwide. Approximately 873 companies fell victim to this scheme, resulting in losses totaling about $861,268.66. Several affected companies were located in the Western District of New York, including Henrietta, Lakewood, Brockport, Andover, Rochester, Avon, Tonawanda, and Niagara Falls.
The investigation leading to Scarantino's plea involved multiple agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), led by Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service under Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward from the Boston Division; and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations division directed by Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas M. Fattorusso.
Sentencing for Scarantino is set for March 17, 2025.
