Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 48-year-old Randall Keith McGovern of Niagara Falls has been arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice John L. Michalski on a five count indictment, charging him with one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, one count of Forgery in the Second Degree, one count of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree and one count of Petit Larceny.

During the summer of 2017, the defendant allegedly scammed three local businesses (Dunn Tire/Exxpress Tire Delivery, Shanor Electric Supply, Inc., and McCarthy Tire) out of more than $10,000 of inventory. He is accused of placing telephone orders for inventory, which was then billed to an unwitting third party (Joe Basil Chevrolet, Ciminelli Real Estate and Modern Disposal) and then delivered to the defendant.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. He remains free on $25,000 bail.

McGovern, a prior felony offender who is currently on federal probation, is scheduled to return on Thursday, October 18 at 9:30 a.m. for a motion argument. 

If convicted on all charges, he could face a maximum of life in prison.

DA Flynn commends the investigative work of Detective John Politowski of the NFTA Police Department as well was Detectives Eric Broska and Terrence Griffin of the Cheektowaga Police Department.

Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Jurusik of the DA’s Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau is prosecuting the case.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.