Nassau Man Charged In Bid-Rigging Scheme: Attorney General

A North Merrick man was one of two arrested and indicted on Thursday for his role in a bid-rigging scheme to get rid of competition for work on a luxury apartment building being constructed in Brooklyn, the Attorney General said.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the indictment of Christopher Chierchio, of Staten Island, and Anthony Milohnic, of North Merrick, for allegedly colluding to ensure a lack of competition for the plumbing, sprinkler and HVAC bids for a new luxury residential building at 613 Baltic Street in Brooklyn. Chierchio, allegedly a mob soldier, is also charged with criminal tax fraud for his alleged evasion of $94,094 of personal income taxes owed since April 2016.

“We have zero tolerance for crooks who try to game the system to line their pockets,” said Schneiderman. “We'll continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to crack down on bid-rigging, tax fraud, and all other forms of corruption.”

According to the indictments, which were unsealed today in New York County Supreme Court, Chierchio, 49, is charged with agreement, arrangement, or combination in restraint of trade or competition, in violation of the New York State Donnelly Act, as well as second-degree criminal tax fraud. If convicted of both counts, he faces up to 19 years in prison. Chierchio is a reputed “soldier” in the Genovese organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra. Milohnic, 43, was also charged with the Donnelly Act violation.

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