Man Behind 'Ghost Gun Factory' Also Ran Massive NYC Fraud Ring: DA
Cliffie Thompson, 36, was arraigned Thursday for his roles in a $1.2 million COVID fraud and two ghost gun conspiracies, prosecutors said. Former New York City public servant Cliffie Thompson, known as "co-conspirator 1" and ringleader in a $1.2 million fraud ring, was also involved in two related ghost gun cases. Thompson, who served at least four years in prison for running the "ghost gun factory," was arraigned on conspiracy charges in the COVID fraud caper and in two ghost gun conspiracies. The charges could result in more prison time for Thompson, whom he pleaded guilty in 2023 to running the ghost fun factory from his East Village apartment. Thompson was also identified as the victim of a November 2022 burglary by fraudsters, including now-former NYPD Officer Charde Baker, who believed he had taken more than his share in the scheme.
Publicados : um mês atrás por Matt Troutman no Politics
NEW YORK CITY — A former New York City public servant's "ghost gun factory" didn't just send him on a four-year trip up the river, it was the tip of the iceberg for wider criminal conspiracies, prosecutors contend.
Cliffie Thompson, 36, is "co-conspirator 1" and a ringleader in a sprawling $1.2 million fraud ring unveiled two weeks ago by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, according to officials and court documents. Thompson appeared in Manhattan court Thursday for arraignment on conspiracy charges in the COVID fraud caper, as well as in two related ghost gun cases.
The fresh charges could lead to more prison time for Thompson, who's serving at least four years after pleading guilty in 2023 to running a ghost fun factory from his tiny East Village apartment. Bragg said it was a probe into this "factory" that uncovered even more far-reaching crimes. "That street crime investigation grew into and developed into a very, very important financial fraud investigation," he said March 7.
A chart from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office shows how accusations against Cliffie Thompson led to a wider criminal case. He has been identified as "co-conspirator one." (Manhattan District Attorney's Office) Investigators found that Thompson, along with four fellow city Department of Homeless Services workers, used their access to personal information of unhoused New Yorkers to submit phony applications for pandemic relief funds in 2020 and 2021, according to court documents. An indictment details messages between Thompson and other workers that appear to show them exchanging this private information.
"I need this one done today," read one text from Thompson, which included instructions for submitting a fake claim, according to the indictment. Thompson, who is also charged in two ghost gun conspiracies, wasn't just a perpetrator of crime: he was a victim, according to documents.
Officials also identified Thompson as the victim of a November 2022 burglary by fraudsters —including now-former NYPD Officer Charde Baker, 35, according to documents — who believed he had taken more than his share in the scheme. Thompson was ordered held without bail after his arraignment. He's next scheduled to appear in court April 4.
Tópicos: Fraud, Corruption