Rockland County DA: Phony Mortgage Broker Clipped Couple For $26K For Purported Assistance In Getting Loan To Buy Home

From the Office of the Rockland County, New York District Attorney:

• Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced that Andre Tolentino (DOB 10/17/58) of 8 Whitewood Drive, New City, New York has been charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class "D" Felony.

• Tolentino, an employee of the Bravo supermarket in Hillcrest, held himself out as a legitimate mortgage broker to a couple that frequented the grocery store. In 2007, the defendant offered the victims help in securing a mortgage to purchase the home, which they were renting at the time.

• According to the charges, Tolentino introduced the couple to a mortgage broker in New York City, to whom the family paid $10,000. Several months later, the victims paid an additional $15,000 dollars to the defendant - money he claimed was needed to finalize the loan. In this sham transaction, the couple was told to make the check payable to Tolentino’s wife.

• During subsequent months, other payments were made to the defendant after the victims were told additional monies were needed to complete their loan.

• Tolentino is not a licensed mortgage broker. The victims never received the mortgage.

For the press release, see New City Man Charged In $26,000 Mortgage Fraud Scheme.