Michael Grimm, a 45-year-old resident of Spencerport, NY, has been sentenced to 60 months in prison for his involvement in a fraud scheme. Acting U.S. Attorney Joel Louis Violanti made the announcement following the sentencing by U.S. District Court Judge Charles J. Siragusa. In addition to his prison term, Grimm is required to pay approximately $16,000 in restitution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi detailed that Grimm and his co-defendant, Nickola Marie Ferra, engaged in various fraudulent activities including document fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, retail theft, and identity theft. The scheme involved obtaining merchandise through theft or fraud from local retailers and then returning it for gift cards or store credit or selling it to third parties.
Grimm used forged or stolen passports and other identification information to deceive merchants. He also admitted to stealing personal identifying information and credit details from multiple individuals to make fraudulent purchases such as car and hotel rentals. The stolen identity information was also used in attempts to open credit cards and secure loans. At least ten victims of identity theft have been identified so far, resulting in significant financial losses.
Nickola Marie Ferra had previously been convicted and sentenced to 27 months in prison for her role in the scheme.
The investigation leading to these convictions was conducted by the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service under Special Agent-in-Charge Brian Wood's direction and Homeland Security Investigations led by Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
