"Between August and January, Dematteo washed - or cleaned details, changing the payment information - a total of 14 checks stolen while in transit through the U.S. Postal Service. A dozen of the checks belonged to an 86-year-old Bay Shore woman who lost $17,315, police said, while a 73-year-old Patchogue woman lost $3,414 from two other checks."
"John Dematteo, 58, was arrested earlier this month and charged with two counts of third-degree grand larceny and two counts of first-degree identity theft. Court records show Dematteo, who was represented by Legal Aid, entered a plea of not guilty to all charges on Thursday before Judge James F. Leonick in First District Court in Central Islip."
John Dematteo, 58, from the Bronx, was arrested and charged with two counts of third-degree grand larceny and two counts of first-degree identity theft in connection with a check-washing scheme. Between August and January, Dematteo altered 14 stolen checks that were intercepted during postal transit, changing payment information to redirect funds. An 86-year-old Bay Shore woman lost $17,315 from a dozen checks, while a 73-year-old Patchogue woman lost $3,414 from two additional checks. Dematteo pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance. The investigation involved the Financial Crimes Unit and USPS inspectors, though it remains unclear how Dematteo obtained the checks.
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