Feds: Millions stolen through temple account Indictment alleges Schenectady couple used account in fraud By BRENDAN J. LYONS, Senior writer First published in print: Thursday, October 1, 2009
ALBANY -- A husband and wife from Schenectady were arraigned on a federal indictment Wednesday charging them with bank fraud and money laundering in connection with a $3.5 million scheme that included funneling more than $2.4 million in unclaimed funds through a Hindu temple bank account.
An indictment accuses Baldeo and Kamla Sahabir of participating in a fraud for about five years and relates to a case in which more than $3.5 million in unclaimed funds were stolen from a Manhattan bank.
The couple were brought before a federal magistrate Wednesday on a 10-count indictment that stems from a years-long investigation by the U.S. Secret Service and State Police. The couple have strong ties to a Hindu temple, American Seva International on Paige Street in Schenectady, which was allegedly used to launder $2.4 million, court records show.
Baldeo and Kamla Sahabir work in real estate and live on Willowcreek Avenue in Schenectady's Woodlawn neighborhood, records show. They were released on $500,000 bond each, secured by $50,000, during their initial appearance on the indictment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Randolph F. Treece.
Kamla Sahabir is an agent with Prudential Manor Homes who has been active in the community, including work to bring Guyanese immigrants from downstate. In 2005, Mayor Brian U. Stratton backed Kamla Sahabir for a city planning commission seat. She moved to Schenectady from Queens in 2002.
The couple could not be reached for comment late Wednesday.
Kamla Sahabir is an agent with Prudential Manor Homes who has been active in the community, including work to bring Guyanese immigrants from downstate. In 2005, Mayor Brian U. Stratton backed Kamla Sahabir for a city planning commission seat.
Kamla certainly has been active....I'd say!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
This cries out for a full investigation by the Attorney General. I'd say DA but he is too busy with his tough re-election campaign against the popular REP Mr. Blank. She moves to town and in 3 years is put on the influential planning commission? Why? How? What is her planning expertise? lol.
lol. mayor jurczinski recruited her to come here. so i guess he is to blame for bringing a felony to schenectady. yes, let us investigate it fully and see if the former police chief is also involved.
check the dates == she came here in 2003. mayor j was in office or just leaving then. coincidence? i think not. I bet he was lining his pockets with her help....
That's why Mayor Son of Sam put Kamla Sahabir on the Planning Commission? Right-that's all evil Al's fault. Al brought her up here-so it's his fault Mayor Stratton appointed her?
Get your facts correct. Som of Sam and not evil Al gave her a huge political plum. Why? Of course he didn't know about the just released crimes but why was Kamla Sahabir and not more qualified residents chosen by Mayor Stratton? What's Kamla Sahabir planning expertise? lol
Another KRAT Son of Sam special! Put a newbie on the planning commission-because? Let's have the DA investigate. When he's done with his big re-election campaign?
We might trace to root of the corruption to President Taft or maybe Governor Dewey. They both KNEW someone from Guyana. It is a REPUBLICAN PLOT!!!!!! Listen, if this person were sitting on the Rotterdam planning commission, appointed by the current supervisor, there would be "smoking gun" type flyers going out night and day and this blog would suddenly have 17 new members (all the same 3 people) to crow in about how "gangster gumbahs" are running the town (Oh, by the way, Cal- I use that term QUOTING some of the bloggers here in their reference to the town board, not directly using it to attack Italian Americans!)
...And the whole board would be asking what Tommasone knew and when did he know it! So to have people jump up here and now try to deflect this from Stratton shows that you either aren't being realistic in stating this is Al J's fault, or you are simply not aware that the current mayor is not the favorite of the Conservative Party. You guys better get on the same page already! Too much "dissent" in the ranks!!! How can you support the local Conservative Party if you are defending Sratton? This doesn't jive.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Listen, if this person were sitting on the Rotterdam planning commission, appointed by the current supervisor, there would be "smoking gun" type flyers going out night and day and this blog would suddenly have 17 new members (all the same 3 people) to crow in about how "gangster gumbahs" are running the town
I believe the reps are capable of the same tactics in reverse.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
After 6 long years these stunad KRATS are still blaming Evil Al for everything in Schenectady? How about Frank Duci? They need to reach back to him to cover up horrible Son of Sam. It's all Al/Franks fault!
Mayor Son of Sam has proposed a 20% INCREASE IN SCHENECTADY RECORD TAXES. Albany is zero. Troy is 4%. Don't tell us it's all over. It's in Schenectady only. This must be Al's fault/Frank's fault/anybody's fault except the rubber stamp all KRAT City council that has run the City into the ground for 35 straight years. Face the music-you can't budget-you refuse to cut anything-Metrograft is a complete failure-it's all your fault.
There is clearly enough blame to go around. They have ALL had their chance up to bat and they have ALL failed the taxpayers miserably! The NNTP is our only hope now!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
SCHENECTADY Fraud suspect still on city commission BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
Kamla Sahabir, indicted by a federal grand jury on felony bank fraud and money laundering charges, remains a member of the city Planning Commission — at least for the time being. Her three-year term expires on Dec. 31. The mayor can remove her for cause following a public hearing, said Corporation Counsel L. John Van Norden. Her indictment on federal felony charges does not necessarily mean she can be removed, as the charges do not relate to her duties on the commission, he said. “We will have to do some research,” Van Norden said. Mayor Brian U. Stratton appointed Sahabir in 2006. Stratton is attending the funeral of his mother and was not available for comment. Sahabir and Baldeo Sahabir face a 10-count indictment accusing them of defrauding the Bank of New York of some $5.8 million in bond interest payments between 2000 and 2007. The federal indictment, unsealed Sept. 23, said the Sahabirs laundered the money through several accounts, including one established in the name of America Seva International. Kamla Sahabir moved from Queens to Schenectady in 2003 with her husband Raj and opened America Seva International at 2716 Albany St., a former school. ...............>>>>...........................>>>>...................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01502&AppName=1
SCHENECTADY Couple to appear on fraud charges BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA AND AMEERAH CETAWAYO Gazette Reporters
A Schenectady husband and wife indicted on federal bank fraud and money laundering charges will appear Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Albany, a government attorney said Monday. Baldeo “Raj” and Kamla Sahabir are scheduled to appear at 2 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Randolph F. Treece, Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward R. Broton said. Broton said the appearance is procedural to inform the Sahabirs of their rights to have separate attorneys representing them in court, he said. Currently, Barry Phillips of Mineola is representing the Sahabirs. He was not available for comment. Broton said a single attorney representing the Sahabirs could face a conflict of interest as the case progresses. The Sahabirs, of 116 Willow Creek Ave., were indicted Sept. 23 by a federal grand jury in Syracuse on 10 counts of bank fraud and money laundering. They are accused of defrauding the Bank of New York of $2.9 million between Dec. 13, 2000, and May 23, 2007. The Sahabirs could face a maximum of 30 years in federal prison on the bank fraud charge and 20 years on the money laundering charge if convicted, Broton said. They also would be subject to a fi ne of twice the value of the property involved, or nearly $6 million, he said. The indictment claims the Sahabirs worked with unindicted coconspirator Lal Singh of Queens to commit the alleged crimes. Singh pleaded guilty Dec. 12, 2008, to bank fraud, Broton said. The sentencing date was not available. Broton said Singh is cooperating with authorities in the case against the Sahabirs as part of his plea agreement. Broton said federal authorities have not yet recovered the money the Sahabirs allegedly took through their actions. “We are not sure where it went. That is part of the investigation,” he said. Broton said the Sahabirs could face additional charges. “The case is.............>>>>............>>>>........................................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....1&Continuation=1
According to KRAT autoresponse this is all Mayor Al's fault? Put down the pipe.
Son of Sam's problems are not limited to overspending. The Attorney General should investigate this outrage. A realtor moves here from NYC and as soon as the moving van leaves she is appointed by Son of Sam {not AL} to influential planning commission. What are her planning creditials? Where did she study planning? lol. Follow the money.
SCHENECTADY Lawyer: Couple duped by banker Indictment alleges bank fraud, money laundering BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
A well-respected Schenectady couple indicted on federal felony bank fraud and money-laundering charges was duped into committing the alleged crimes by a Queens banker who is now cooperating with authorities in return for a lighter prison sentence, according to a defense attorney. E. Stewart Jones made the comments Friday on behalf of his client, Kamla Sahabir. Kamla’s husband, Baldeo, or “Raj,” is represented by Steve Coffey. Coffey was not available for comment. Jones said the Sahabirs were duped by Lal Singh, a section manager in the securities redemption department with the Bank of New York. Singh allegedly used the Sahabirs and others to transfer interest on bonds that were not redeemed through bank accounts, rather than turning in the interest to the state as required. “They were fooled by this guy. They had no idea what he was doing, what his actual role was,” Jones said. “Crime requires knowledge and intent. This was orchestrated cleverly by this guy.” Singh pleaded guilty Dec. 12, 2008, to bank fraud. The sentencing date was not available. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Broton said Singh is cooperating with authorities in the case against the Sahabirs as part of his plea agreement. The Sahabirs, of 116 Willow Creek Ave., were indicted Sept. 23 by a federal grand jury in Syracuse on 10 counts of bank fraud and money laundering. They are accused of defrauding the Bank of New York of $2.9 million between Dec. 13, 2000, and May 23, 2007. .................>>>>...............>>>>...............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....1&Continuation=1
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This cries out for a full investigation by the Attorney General. I'd say DA but he is too busy with his tough re-election campaign against the popular REP Mr. Blank. She moves to town and in 3 years is put on the influential planning commission? Why? How? What is her planning expertise? lol.
According to KRAT autoresponse this is all Mayor Al's fault? Put down the pipe.
