Massapequa Couple Takes Guilty Plea in Fraud Case

A Massapequa couple pleaded guilty Wednesday to defrauding the New York City Transit Authority by submitting false invoices.

Richard Guercia and Mary Murchison-Guercia, of the American Chain Link and Construction, admitted to submitting the bogus bills in Suffolk County Court.

The married couple inflated the cost of the materials and created false records on fencing projects from 2003 to 2008, according to prosecutors.

They were caught in an investigation conducted by the Suffolk County District Attorney and the MTA Inspector General's office.

The couple pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of scheme to defraud in the second degree, while a guilty plea to a felony grand larceny charge was also entered for the corporation.

State law enforcement will review the company's charter and could revoke it. Prosecutors said the plea agreement effectively bans the company from doing business with the city or the transit agency again.