Hempstead, New York (WNY News Now)Former Hempstead, New York, Marlboro Owners Corporation cooperative president Juan Alayo entered a guilty plea to embezzling $26,738 in building funds. The plea deal, which holds the 72-year-old East Meadow man liable for Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree and Petit Larceny, was revealed by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Alayo will pay back the money that was taken and perform 210 hours of community service as part of the deal. If these requirements are not met, a year in jail will be imposed.
A Betrayal of ConfidenceFrom 2016 to 2023, Alayo presided over the 16-unit co-op, which was primarily populated by Spanish-speaking immigrant residents. Under the pretense of valid costs, he fraudulently issued checks to himself and his business, A&J Cleaning Services, during his employment, diverting co-op monies. He fabricated the co-op’s financial documents in order to hide his theft.
A $2,466.30 check that was paid by A&J but was documented as a payment to an oil firm was one example of a fraudulent transaction. Alayo’s actions were discovered after he left the cooperative in 2023 and a new president discovered inconsistencies during a financial review.
Effects on the Community and Legal ActionsAttorney General James emphasized Alayo’s breech of trust by saying, “The entire community suffers when co-op leaders steal from the buildings they are entrusted to manage.” To look into the case, her agency collaborated closely with the New York State Police and the Nassau District Attorney’s agency.
Alayo’s guilty plea emphasizes the value of openness in community governance in addition to calling for reparations. Since then, the Marlboro Owners Corporation has improved accountability and monitoring.
Investigation and ProsecutionAssistant Attorney General Jimei Hon of the Public Integrity Bureau prosecuted the case. The New York State Police’s Major Investigations Unit was one of several state organizations that collaborated on the inquiry.