JULY 14, 2000

D.A. BROWN: BOOKKEEPER CHARGED IN 1900 COUNT INDICTMENT WITH EMBEZZLING $300,000 FROM ASTORIA CHIROPRACTOR FOR WHOM SHE WORKED

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, joined by New York City Police Commissioner Howard Safir, announced today the indictment of a 31 year old bookkeeper on charges of embezzling over $300,000 from the chiropractor for whom she worked.

District Attorney Brown said, "Many people with small businesses or, like the complainant in this case, with medical practices, put their faith and trust in one or two employees to run their financial affairs. Sometimes that is a very costly mistake."

Police Commissioner Safir said, "Today’s arrest and indictment of Patricia Garcia puts an end to a life of theft and deceit, "said New York City Police Department Commissioner Howard Safir. "Her employer trusted her to run his office and instead she defrauded him. Now she faces 1900 counts of felony charges. This successful conclusion is the result of a great deal of investigative work on the part of the New York Police Department and the Queens District Attorney’s Office who joined forces in the case."

District Attorney Brown identified the defendant as Patricia Garcia, 31, of 88-36 87th Street Woodhaven, Queens. She was employed by Dr. Michael Sullivan, a chiropractor with offices at 22-01 Steinway Street, Astoria. The defendant is charged with over 1900 counts of grand larceny, forgery, criminal possession of forged instruments, falsifying business records and criminal possession of stolen property. She faces a maximum term of 15 years in prison if convicted.

According to the charges, from June 1, 1994 to July 1999 the defendant forged the signature of the doctor on 1,554 checks made payable to him or to his practice, Steinway Chiropractic Center, for services rendered to his patients and deposited the money in her own personal bank account. The alleged thefts were discovered in July 1999 when an alert Citibank employee noticed the unusual endorsements on the checks and notified the doctor.

The investigation leading to the arrest was conducted by New York City Police Department’s Special Frauds Squad under the supervision of Lt. Robert Groth and Sgt. John Johnson. Detective Caroline Shabunia made the arrest.

Assistant District Attorney Linda LaGreca of District Attorney Brown’s Economic Crimes Bureau which is under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Brian Mich and John R. Mechmann and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Peter A. Crusco, presented the case to the Grand Jury. Assistant District Attorney Diane Peress supervised the Grand Jury presentation.

It is to be noted that a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.