Wantagh Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Nearly $90K From Veteran

The founder of a Suffolk County veterans organization pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of grand larceny for stealing nearly $90,000 from a 71-year-old veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress and dementia, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.

State Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho told 76-year-old John J. Lynch, of Wantagh, that if Lynch is to avoid jail time, he must pay the victim back and forfeit a Porsche he registered and titled to himself but purchased with the victim’s money.

Lynch is the founder and former executive director of Suffolk County United Veterans, which operates the “John J. Lynch Veterans Men's Shelter” in Yaphank.

“The defendant’s crimes were unconscionable,” Spota said. “Our investigation found that he exploited a vulnerable fellow veteran who is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and trying to cope with severe memory and confusion issues.

"From February of 2013 through February of 2014, Mr. Lynch had the victim write checks payable to him or to his business, J. Lynch Staffing, and we also found evidence that the defendant also had the victim pay his American Express bills. The total amount of money stolen is $87, 260,” Spota said.

Lynch will be formally sentenced by Camacho in early October on a date convenient for the victim’s family to attend.