Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 64-year-old Victor P. Marinaccio of Getzville pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the sole count in the indictment against him.
Between July 2018 and August 2022, the defendant befriended the victim and misrepresented himself in order to fraudulently obtain her life savings. The defendant used the victim’s credit cards and conducted wire transfers to steal more than $250,000, which he used for travel and other personal expenses.
The United States Secret Service located the defendant, who was wanted on an indictment warrant, living in a hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. In September 2022, Marinaccio waived extradition and was returned to Western New York to face prosecution.
Marinaccio faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. As a condition of the plea, the defendant will pay $250,000 in restitution to the victim at the time of his sentence.
Marinaccio remains released on his own recognizance. At the request of the prosecutor, the defendant, who had no permanent address at the time of his arraignment, was ordered to surrender his passport. A temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim.
Acting DA Keane commends the United States Secret Service for their work in the investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brian P. Dassero of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.