July 13, 2017 -- Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced today that Richard Grassi (DOB 03/19/66) of 14 South St., Danbury, CT was arraigned in New Rochelle City Court and charged with:

  • One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class “D” Felony.

The defendant is a former employee of Mike Ceretta Auto Sales, Inc. in New Rochelle.  While he was employed there, one of his jobs was to purchase cars from other car dealerships in order to then sell them at a profit from Ceretta.  The defendant would then receive a commission from these sales.

Between Nov. 1, 2013 and April 1, 2015, the defendant stole funds from Ceretta by submitting false invoices for car purchases in order to increase his commission from the sales of those vehicles. Specifically, he would create false invoices that listed the vehicles purchased from other dealerships for less than they actually were so that the defendant’s commission would be higher when the vehicles were sold. 

As a result of this false invoice scheme, the defendant stole approximately $24,000.00. 

The investigation was conducted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office with the full cooperation and assistance of the New Rochelle Police Department.

The defendant pled not guilty and was released on his own recognizance.

He faces a maximum of seven years in state prison.

His next court date is Sept. 11, 2017.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Berit Huseby of the Economics Crime Bureau.

Richard Grassi

Richard Grassi

In compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 3.6, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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