Guilty Pleas Entered for Unemployment Fraud by 2 New Rochelle Residents

Two New Rochelle residents pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing more than $69,000 in unemployment benefits.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman said that Dennis Broccolo, 55, and Stephanie Vega, 27, were accused of submitting false applications for unemployment insurance benefits by claiming to have worked for two different companies at which they were never employed.

The two defendants admitted in court they filed fraudulent papers with the Department of Labor, claiming to have worked for Bassa Iripinia Corporation when they applied for unemployment benefits in October 2012.

In November 2014, Broccolo and Vega applied for unemployment benefits claiming they worked for Drakemain Cafe & Lounge.

The period for which the theft of benefits occurred was between October 3, 2012, and May 31, 2015.

Broccolo pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree grand larceny.

In exchange for his plea, he will be sentenced to three-and-half to seven years in prison and will pay full restitution.

Vega pleaded guilty to first-degree offering a false instrument for filing.

She will pay back the money and is expected to be sentenced to one year interim probation, after which it will be determined whether she should continue to serve up to five years probation.

Both are scheduled to be sentenced March 17.