A.G. Schneiderman Announces Arrest Of Three EMTs For Stealing From Volunteer Ambulance Corps

NEW YORK -- Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the arrest of three volunteer emergency medical technicians, who allegedly stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from bank accounts belonging to the Corona Community Volunteer Ambulance Corps (CCAC) in Queens County.

According to the Attorney General's felony complaint, filed in Queens County Criminal Court, while serving as a board member and Treasurer of CCAC, Daniel Dominguez, 37, stole more than $300,000 from CCAC bank accounts. Dominguez used his access to CCAC bank accounts to transfer funds directly into his own personal accounts. He then used that money for extravagant jaunts to Walt Disney World and Niagara Falls, as well as purchases of luxury car service trips and fancy meals.  

A second felony complaint filed by the Attorney General alleges that Dominguez also assisted another CCAC board member, Daryl Adeva, 31, in the unauthorized transfer of $8,960 to Adeva's accounts. In a third felony complaint filed today, the Attorney General charges defendant David Moretti, 41, who served as a board member and President of CCAC, with stealing more than $11,000 from CCAC between September 2008 and May 2011. Moretti received wire transfers, cash withdrawals and unauthorized credit card purchases. These purchases included overseas money transfers and personal car payments, all made without the permission of the CCAC board members.

“These emergency medical technicians, who were entrusted with providing medical services and transportation for New York residents, instead took advantage of their positions and used a not-for-profit ambulance corps as their own personal piggy bank,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. "My office will continue to weed out theft and fraud in charitable organizations and prosecute criminals who take advantage of the public's trust."

The three defendants were arrested and arraigned today on grand larceny charges before Queens County Supreme Court Justice Gia Morris. Defendant Dominguez was charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class "C" felony, and faces up to 5 to 15 years in prison if convicted. Defendants Moretti and Adeva were each charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony, and face up to 2 1/3 to 7 years each in prison if convicted. Both Dominguez and Aveda are being held on bail.

The Attorney General's investigation commenced with a complaint from CCAC board members to the Attorney General's Charities Bureau about possible missing or misappropriated funds from CCAC bank accounts.  An investigation conducted by attorneys and an accountant in the Charities Bureau uncovered hundreds of thousands of dollars embezzled from the not-for-profit.
The Attorney General thanks the New York State Police and Commissioner Joseph D'Amico for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this case.
This case was investigated by Senior Investigator Richard D. Friedman, under the supervision of Supervising Investigator Michael Ward, Deputy Chief of Investigations John McManus and Chief of Investigations Dominic Zarrella. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Benjamin J. Mantell, with the aid of Legal Analyst David Lisante of the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Stephanie Swenton, Bureau Chief Gail Heatherly, and Executive Deputy Attorney General of Criminal Justice Kelly Donovan.