Business & Tech

New City Man Accused Of Scamming Restaurant Investors

D.A.: Businessman lied to investors about owning equipment, having a liquor license.

A New City man is accused of cooking up a scheme to re-open a Haverstraw restaurant by lying to investors and duping them out of more than $30,000, according to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe.

Virginio Flores, 45, of 2 Cypress St., is charged with third-degree grand larceny following an investigation conducted by the Rockland County Special Investigations Unit.

Zugibe said the charge stems from a plan by Flores in April 2010 to gather enough money to re-open the restaurant without having to invest any of his own money. Zugibe said Flores got the support of three investors who were kept in the dark about the terms of each other's involvement.

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The investments, Zugibe said, were made with the understanding that Flores owned the restaurant furniture and equipment and held a valid New York State liquor license. However, Flores did not own the restaurant furnishings or equipment, and did not hold a license to sell liquor, Zugibe said.

Flores was arraigned Monday in Haverstraw Town Court by  Judge John K. Grant and was released pending a June 15 hearing.

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If convicted, the Flores faces up to seven years in prison.

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