Hamburg Man Pleads Guilty for Embezzling More Than $340k from Relative's Estate

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 62-year-old Craig Arno of Hamburg pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan to one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (Class "C" felony) and one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (Class "E" felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.

The defendant admitted that he stole a total of $342,036 from a relative's estate over the course of nearly seven years. Instead of donating the deceased victim's money to local charities, the defendant abused his power as the executor of the will and transferred the money his personal bank account between September 2016 and August 2023. The defendant also failed to report the stolen money on his personal income tax returns. The suspected theft was reported to our office by the Surrogate Court administrator.

Arno faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on Friday, September 27, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. He was released on his own recognizance.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Gary M. Ertel and Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Abrams of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.