School Bus Indictment
School Bus Indictment
School Bus Indictment
FILED
IN CLERK'S OFFICE
~DISTRICT COURT E.D.N.V.
PT:LXN/MMS
F. #20lOROO132, 2015R00498, 20 l 5R00499
* OCT 14 2015 *
BROOKLYN OFFICE
-X
1Nc11,;T
523
Cr.No.~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- against -
LARAINE CASTELLANO,
also known as "Laraine Lia,"
THOMAS SCIALPI and
DENNIS SCIALPI,
ORENSTEIN, M.J.
Defendants.
-
-X
USA United Holdings, Inc., also known as Shoreline Merge, Inc. ("USA
United") was a holding company with numerous subsidiaries including: (a) USA United Fleet,
Inc., also known as Shoreline Fleet, Inc.; (b) USA United Transit, Inc., also known as
Shoreline Pupil Transit, Inc.; (c) United Tom Tom Transportation, Inc., also known as
Shoreline Buses, Inc. ("United Tom Tom"); (d) USA United Bus Express, Inc., also known as
Shoreline Bus Express, Inc.; and (e) United Fleet, Inc. (collectively, including the holding
company and the subsidiaries, the "United Entities"), all of which were bus companies that
provided transportation to children attending New York City public schools. The United
Entities' income was derived almost exclusively from transportation contracts they held with
the New York City Department of Education (the "NYC DOE"). From approximately 2004
to 2011, the NYC DOE paid the United Entities approximately $31 O million under these
contracts.
2.
LARAINE CASTELLANO, also known as "Laraine Lia," and her children, the defendants
DENNIS SCIALPI and THOMAS SCIALPI, from offices located at 2859 West 37th Street in
Brooklyn, New York (the "United Offices").
3.
"financial institutions" as defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 20. The deposits of
Comerica and Sovereign were insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
B.
THOMAS SCIALPI, the United Entities applied to Comerica for a $10 million loan (the "2004
Loan"). In support of the application for the 2004 Loan (the "2004 Loan Application"), the
United Entities submitted to Comerica, among other things, false and fraudulent financial
statements (the "Financial Statements") and false and fraudulent corporate income tax returns.
5.
On or about June 17, 2004, the United Entities and Comerica executed a
loan agreement for the 2004 Loan (the "2004 Loan Agreement"). The 2004 Loan Agreement
was signed by DENNIS SCIALPI, THOMAS SCIALPI and John Doe# 1, an individual whose
identity is known to the Grand Jury, who was the spouse of CASTELLANO.
3
6.
The 2004 Loan Agreement stated that the primary purpose of the 2004
Loan was to establish and fund an employee stock ownership plan (the "ESOP"), a type of
tax-qualified retirement plan governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974 ("ERISA"), for the benefit of non-union employees of the United Entities. However,
even though the United Entities formally established the ESOP by filing required forms with
the United States Department of Labor, the United Entities never made any of the disclosures
to their employees regarding the ESOP that were required by ERISA and never funded the
ESOP as promised to Comerica. Thus, as CASTELLANO, DENNIS SCIALPI and
THOMAS SCIALPI knew, nearly all of the United Entities employees who were the intended
beneficiaries of the ESOP were unaware that the ESOP existed, and those employees never
received the benefits to which they were entitled under the ESOP.
7.
On or about October 30, 2007, the United Entities executed another loan
agreement (the "2007 Loan Agreement") with Comerica for an additional $4.5 million (the
"2007 Loan"). The 2007 Loan Agreement amended and restated the 2004 Loan Agreement
in its entirety and contained an affirmative covenant that the United Entities would cause the
ESOP to comply in all material respects with ERISA. The 2007 Loan Agreement was signed
by DENNIS SCIALPI, THOMAS SCIALPI and John Doe #1.
8.
The 2004 and 2007 Loan Agreements obligated the United Entities to
4
misrepresented the financial condition of the United Entities in order to prevent Comerica
from discovering that the United Entities were violating the terms of the 2004 and 2007 Loan
Agreements. The United Entities ultimately defaulted on their repayment obligations under
the 2004 and 2007 Loan Agreements.
C.
approximately $700,615 for the purpose of purchasing a yacht (the "Yacht Loan"). At the
time he applied for the Yacht Loan, THOMAS SCIALPI was a resident of Staten Island, New
York. In connection with his application for the Yacht Loan, THOMAS SCIALPI directed
John Doe #2, an individual whose identity is known to the Grand Jury, to create false corporate
income tax returns for United Tom Tom and fictitious Forms W-2 for THOMAS SCIALPI and
for his wife Jane Doe, an individual whose identity is known to the Grand Jury. For example,
the Form W-2 for Jane Doe falsely represented that she worked for and earned income from
United Tom Tom, when in fact Jane Doe never worked there and did not earn income from
United Tom Tom. THOMAS SCIALPI subsequently submitted these fabricated documents
to Sovereign.
10.
submitted by THOMAS SCIALPI, Sovereign approved the Yacht Loan and disbursed
approximately $700,615 so that THOMAS SCIALPI could purchase a yacht. THOMAS
SCIALPI ultimately defaulted on his repayment obligations under the Yacht Loan.
D.
truthfully account for and pay over to the Internal Revenue Service of the United States
Department of the Treasury (the "IRS") payroll taxes, and to file on a quarterly basis an
Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return, IRS Form 941.
12.
employee leasing company, was a type of company that entered into an agreement with an
employer to perform some or all of the employer's federal payroll tax withholding, reporting,
and payment functions. The PEO "leased" an employer's employees and thus became those
employees' employer of record for payroll tax purposes. An authorized representative of the
employer was required to sign and submit Forms 941 to the IRS. The original employer, not
the PEO, was responsible for providing funds to the PEO so the PEO could make the required
payroll tax payments to the IRS when the PEO filed a Form 941.
a.
Tax PEO, Inc. ("Tax PEO") and Tax P, Inc. ("Tax P") (collectively, the
"P Entities") were companies that were incorporated in the state of New York in or about
March 2008 and September 2008 respectively, and operated from the United Offices.
14.
In 2008 and 2009, DENNIS SCIALPI was the President of Tax PEO.
At the direction of CASTELLANO, John Doe #3, an individual whose identity is known to the
Grand Jury, signed DENNIS SCIALPI's name on Tax PEO's Forms 941 that were filed with
the IRS. In 2009, THOMAS SCIALPI was the President of Tax P. At the direction of
CASTELLANO, John Doe #3 signed THOMAS SCIALPI's name to Tax P's Forms 941 that
were filed with the IRS.
15.
for various employees of the United Entities for payroll tax purposes. However, the P Entities
were not in fact PEOs, never entered into agreements with any of the United Entities to provide
payroll services and never provided payroll services to anyone. Instead, the P Entities
outsourced all payroll servicing responsibilities to Company A, a company whose identity is
known to the Grand Jury. The P Entities hired Company A to: (a) prepare paychecks to the
United Entities employees who were supposed to be employed by the P Entities for payroll tax
purposes; (b) remit payroll tax payments on those employees' wages to the IRS; and (c)
prepare Forms 941.
16.
the names of the defendants DENNIS SCIALPI and THOMAS SCIALPI, respectively (the "P
Entity Accounts"). Although the P Entity Accounts and the tax returns for the P Entities
indicated that DENNIS SCIALPI and THOMAS SCIALPI owned and operated the P Entities,
the P Entities were in fact operated and controlled by CASTELLANO.
17.
incorporate a company in the name of P-Tax, Inc. ("P-Tax") listing THOMAS SCIALPI as
President. On or about September 9, 2009, THOMAS SCIALPI opened a bank account in the
name of P-Tax. Although the incorporation documents and bank account information for
P-Tax indicated that THOMAS SCIALPI owned and operated P-Tax, P-Tax was in fact
operated and controlled by CASTELLANO. At CASTELLANO's direction, in or about
September 2009, paychecks for certain United Entities employees were no longer issued from
Tax P's bank account and were instead issued from P-Tax's bank account.
18.
P-Tax, she was required to collect, truthfully account for and pay over to the IRS payroll taxes
that were due and owing on wages of employees who were, for payroll tax purposes, employed
by the P Entities and P-Tax. In fact, in order to avoid paying the IRS payroll taxes due and
owing on the wages of the United Entities' employees, CASTELLANO ensured that the
amount of funds transferred from the United Entities to the P Entity Accounts and P-Tax's
bank account would be insufficient to satisfy the payroll tax obligations on these wages.
b.
the "D Entities") were companies incorporated in New Jersey in or about January 2010. The
D Entities operated from the United Offices.
20.
record for various employees of the United Entities for payroll tax purposes. However, the D
Entities were not in fact PEOs, never entered into agreements with any of the United Entities to
provide payroll services and never provided payroll services to anyone. Instead, the D
Entities outsourced all payroll servicing responsibilities to Company A. The D Entities hired
Company A to: (a) prepare paychecks to the employees of the United Entities who were
supposed to be employed by the D Entities for payroll tax purposes; (b) remit payroll tax
payments on those employees' wages; and (c) prepare Forms 941.
21.
D Entities to be opened in the name of Jane Doe (the "Jane Doe Bank Accounts"). Although
the Jane Doe Bank Accounts and the tax returns for the D Entities indicated that Jane Doe
owned and operated the D Entities, the D Entities were in fact operated and controlled by
CASTELLANO and THOMAS SCIALPI. Because CASTELLANO and THOMAS
SCIALPI operated and controlled the D Entities, they were required to collect, truthfully
account for and pay over to the IRS payroll taxes that were due and owing on wages of
employees who were, for payroll tax purposes, employed by the D Entities.
22.
In fact, in order to avoid paying the IRS payroll taxes due and owing on
the wages of the United Entities' employees, CASTELLANO and THOMAS SCIALPI
ensured that the amount of funds transferred from the United Entities to the Jane Doe Bank
Accounts would be insufficient to satisfy the payroll tax obligations on these wages.
23.
Accounts, P-Tax's bank account and the Jane Doe Bank Accounts to satisfy the payroll tax
obligations associated with certain United Entities employees, and by agreeing to do so,
CASTELLANO and THOMAS SCIALPI, together with others, did conspire to defraud the
United States by impeding, impairing, obstructing and defeating the lawful functions of the
IRS in the ascertainment, computation and collection of more than $10 million in payroll
taxes.
9
COUNT ONE
(Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud)
24.
In or about and between June 2004 and July 2011, both dates being
approximate and inclusive, within the Eastern District of New York and elsewhere, the
defendants LARAINE CASTELLANO, also known as "Laraine Lia," THOMAS SCIALPI
and DENNIS SCIALPI, together with others, did knowingly and intentionally conspire to
execute a scheme and artifice to defraud a financial institution, to wit: Comerica, and to obtain
moneys, funds, credits and other property owned by, and under the custody and control of
Comerica, by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and
promises, to wit: the preparation and submission of false and fraudulent corporate income tax
returns, Financial Statements, Quarterly Financial Statements and affirmations regarding the
ESOP, all in connection with the 2004 and 2007 Loan Agreements, contrary to Title 18, United
States Code, Section 1344.
(Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1349 and 3551 et seq.)
COUNT TWO
(Bank Fraud)
26.
In or about and between June 2004 and July 2011, both dates being
approximate and inclusive, within the Eastern District of New York and elsewhere, the
defendants LARAINE CASTELLANO, also known as "Laraine Lia," THOMAS SCIALPI
10
and DENNIS SCIALPI, together with others, did knowingly and intentionally execute a
scheme and artifice to defraud a financial institution, to wit: Comerica, and to obtain moneys,
funds, credits and other property owned by, and under the custody and control of Comerica, by
means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises, to wit: the
preparation and submission of false and fraudulent corporate income tax returns, Financial
Statements, Quarterly Financial Statements and affirmations regarding the ESOP, all in
connection with the 2004 and 2007 Loan Agreements.
(Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1344, 2 and 3551 et seq.)
COUNT THREE
(Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud)
28.
In or about June 2007, the date being approximate and inclusive, within
the Eastern District ofNew York and elsewhere, the defendant THOMAS SCIALPI, together
with others, did knowingly and intentionally conspire to execute a scheme and artifice to
defraud a financial institution, to wit: Sovereign, and to obtain moneys, funds, credits and
other property owned by, and under the custody and control of Sovereign, by means of
materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises, to wit: submitting
false and fraudulent Forms W-2 and corporate tax returns to Sovereign in connection with the
Yacht Loan, contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344.
(Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1349 and 3551 et seq.)
11
COUNT FOUR
(Bank Fraud)
30.
In or about June 2007, the date being approximate and inclusive, within
the Eastern District of New York and elsewhere, the defendant THOMAS SCIALPI, together
with others, did knowingly and intentionally execute a scheme and artifice to defraud a
financial institution, to wit: Sovereign, and to obtain moneys, funds, credits and other property
owned by, and under the custody and control of Sovereign, by means of materially false and
fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises, to wit: the submission of false and
fraudulent Forms W-2 and corporate tax returns to Sovereign in connection with the Yacht
Loan.
(Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1344, 2 and 3551 et seq.)
COUNT FIVE
(Conspiracy to Defraud the United States)
32.
In or about and between January 2008 and April 2011, both dates being
approximate and inclusive, within the Eastern District ofNew York and elsewhere, the
defendants LARAINE CASTELLANO, also known as "Laraine Lia," and THOMAS
SCIALPI, together with others, did knowingly and intentionally conspire to defraud the United
States by impeding, impairing, obstructing and defeating the lawful functions of the IRS in the
ascertainment, computation and collection of more than $10 million in payroll taxes.
12
34.
the Eastern District of New York and elsewhere, the defendants LARAINE CASTELLANO,
also known as "Laraine Lia," and THOMAS SCIALPI, together with others, committed and
caused to be committed, among others, the following:
OVERT ACTS
a.
$481,000 to be transferred from a United Entities bank account to a bank account in the name
of P-Tax located in Staten Island, New York.
b.
caused a bank account for DDND to be opened in the name of Jane Doe in Staten Island, New
York.
c.
caused a bank account for DNDND to be opened in the name of Jane Doe in Staten Island,
New York.
d.
CASTELLANO caused the D Entities to enter into agreements with Company A that were
purportedly signed by Jane Doe, when in fact, Jane Doe never signed those agreements.
(Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371and3551 et seq.)
13
CRIMINAL FORFEITURE ALLEGATION
35.
CASTELLANO, also known as "Laraine Lia," THOMAS SCIALPI and DENNIS SCIALPI
that, upon their conviction of Counts One through Four, the government will seek forfeiture in
accordance with Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(a)(2)(A), which requires any
person convicted of any such offense to forfeit any property constituting, or derived from,
proceeds obtained directly or indirectly, as the result of such offense.
36.
b.
c.
d.
e.
has been commingled with other property which cannot be divided without
difficulty;
14
it is the intent of the United States, pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(p),
to seek forfeiture of any other property of the defendant up to the value of the forfeitable
property described in this forfeiture allegation.
(Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(a)(2)(A); Title 21, United States
Code, Section 853(p))
A TRUE BILL
~ERSON
F.#2010R00132,2015R00498,2015R00499
No.
FORM DBD-34
JUN.85
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN District of NEW YORK
CRIMINAL DIVISION
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
vs.
LARAINE CASTELLANO, also known as "Laraine Lia," THOMAS SCIALPI AND
DENNIS SCIALPI,
Defendants.
INDICTMENT
(T. 18, U.S.C., 371, 982(a)(2)(A), 1344, 1349, 2 and 3551 et seq.; T. 21, U.S.C.,
853(p))
A tm bHI.
--------- ___________
-----~,on
y
Bail,$ __________ _
FILED
IN CLERK'S OFFICE
~DISTRICT COURT E.D.NY
. . ~UFis. J.
* OCT 14 2015 *
INFORMATION SHEET
BAOOKLYN OFFICE
1.
Title of Case: United States v. Laraine Castellano, Thomas Scialpi and Dennis Scialpi
2.
3.
Arrest Date: - - - - -
4.
Nature of offense(s):
IZI
523
Felony
Misdemeanor
5.
Related Cases - Title and Docket No(s). (Pursuant to Rule 50.3.2 of the Local
E.D.N.Y. Division of Business Rules):United States v. George Silverman, 15 CR 125
(SLT) and United States v. William Moran, 14 CR 348 (SLT)
6.
IZI
7.
8.
Was any aspect of the investigation, inquiry and prosecution giving rise to the case
IZI Yes D No
pending or initiated before March 10, 2012. 1
9.
D Yes
IZI No
10.
IZI Yes
D No
11.
D Yes
IZI No
KELLY T. CURRIE
United States Attorney
By:
Marisa Megur Seifan
Assistant U.S. Attorney
(718) 254-6008
Judge Brodie will not accept cases that were initiated before March 10, 2012.
Rev. 10/04/12