Veterans Organization Founder Pleads Guilty To Two Grand Larceny Counts; Stole From 71-Year-Old Veteran
Hauppauge – The founder of a Suffolk County veteran’s organization today pleaded guilty to two counts of grand larceny for his theft of nearly $90,000 from a 71 year old former veteran who suffers from post- traumatic stress and dementia, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.
State Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho told the defendant, John J. Lynch of Wantagh that if Lynch is to avoid jail time, he must pay the victim back and forfeit a Porsche he registered and titled to himself but purchased with the victim’s money.
The 76 year old defendant is the founder and former executive director of Suffolk County United Veterans which operates the “John J. Lynch Veterans Men’s Shelter” in Yaphank.
“The defendant’s crimes were unconscionable,” District Attorney Spota said. “Our investigation found that he exploited a vulnerable fellow veteran who is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and trying to cope with severe memory and confusion issues. From February of 2013 through February of 2014, Mr. Lynch had the victim write checks payable to him or to his business, J. Lynch Staffing, and we also found evidence that the defendant also had the victim pay his American Express bills. The total amount of money stolen is $87, 260 dollars,” said Spota.
Lynch will be formally sentenced by Justice Camacho in early October on a date convenient for the victim’s family to attend.
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