Property Manager Charged With Embezzling From Nassau Strip Mall

A New York City property manager was arraigned Friday on charges that he allegedly stole more than $320,000 from the owners of a shopping mall in Hewlett.

Leon Austern, 69, was charged with second-degree grand larceny. If convicted, he could face five to 15 years in prison.

"This defendant was trusted to handle his employer’s accounts but instead he allegedly executed a calculated scheme to steal money and use it for personal expenses," said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said. "We are committed to prosecuting fraud cases in Nassau County and returning stolen money to victims."

Austern was the manager of a strip-mall shopping center in Hewlett with five commercial tenants, owned by Harbro Realty Co., LLC. For his services, he was entitled to receive three and a half percent of the gross rents collected from its tenants.

According to Singas, from May 3, 2010, to Dec. 18, 2012, Austern allegedly embezzled $327,273.80 from Harbro by diverting checks drawn by the tenants for rent and taxes to two bank accounts that he created in the name of Harbro. The accounts were allegedly opened secretly without the permission of the corporation.

Austern allegedly spent the money to pay for personal expenses including loan payments, insurance, legal fees, investments, restaurants, health products, food, gasoline, household appliances, pool maintenance, utilities and storage fees.

Austern was conditionally released, and is due back in court on April 28.

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