MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO THEFT OF HUD MONEY

Rochester, N.Y.-- Frank Giannoccaro, 65, of Rochester, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer, to a felony charge of theft of public money, U.S. Attorney Terrance P. Flynn of the Western District of New York announced today. Theft of public money carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, who handled the case, stated that the defendant Frank Giannoccaro, through his business, Giannoccaro Plumbing and Construction Inc., was awarded “bulk bids” in the amount of $25,000 by the Rochester Housing Authority (“RHA”). The RHA is completely funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”). The RHA awards $25,000 “bulk bids” to contractors for agreeing to perform work as requested at the housing units controlled by the RHA, sometimes in emergency situations, such as plumbing, general construction, and cleanup work, until the $25,000 is expended. From in or about April 2004 through December 2004, on approximately twenty-two (22) different occasions, the defendant, Frank Giannoccaro, through his business, Giannoccaro Plumbing and Construction Inc., knowingly submitted fraudulent work invoices to the RHA, for which he was subsequently paid for by the RHA, for plumbing and general construction work that he did not perform. This resulted in a loss in the amount of approximately $10,838.00 to HUD.

The plea was the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General , under the direction of Rene Febles, Special Agent in Charge, and Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Laurie J. Bennett, Special Agent in Charge.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 12, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. EST, in , N.Y., in front of U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer.