Conman Sentenced for Stealing $450,000 Life Savings from Victim in Amherst

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Victor P. Marinaccio, 66, of Getzville was sentenced this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to five years of probation.

Between July 2018 and August 2022, the defendant befriended the victim and misrepresented himself in order to fraudulently obtain her life savings. The defendant used the victim's credit cards and conducted wire transfers to steal approximately $450,000, which he used for travel and other personal expenses.

The United States Secret Service located the defendant, who was wanted on an indictment warrant, living in a hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. In September 2022, Marinaccio waived extradition and was returned to Western New York to face prosecution.

In May 2024, Marinacciopleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (Class "C" felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the sole count in the indictment against him. As a condition of the plea, the defendant agreed to pay $250,000 in upfront restitution to the victim at the time of his sentence. As part of the sentencing proceeding, the defendant signed a Confession of Judgment to pay an additional $200,000 in restitution to the victim.

Today, a final order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim and her family, which remains in effect until September 2032.

Acting DA Keane commends the United States Secret Service for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brian P. Dassero of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.