New York City man faces federal charges in alleged theft of government

Albany, New York – A Brooklyn man has appeared in federal court after being charged in connection with the alleged theft and misuse of more than half a million dollars in government funds intended to support elderly care services in upstate New York.

Ezriel Green, 41, of Brooklyn, appeared before a federal court on June 2, 2026, facing charges of theft of government property. The case is part of a broader federal enforcement effort targeting financial fraud across public benefit programs.

Authorities say the charges stem from conduct that allegedly took place between October 2024 and April 2025 while Green was employed at an assisted living facility in Mohawk, New York. In his role managing the facility’s financial operations, investigators claim he gained access to government-issued payments intended to support the facility’s operations and care for elderly residents.

According to the complaint, Green obtained and cashed checks totaling more than $573,000. These payments were issued by the United States Treasury Department and New York Medicaid and were meant to fund essential services at the facility. Instead, prosecutors allege the funds were diverted for personal use.

Officials emphasized that the indictment represents allegations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

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Law enforcement authorities described the case as a significant breach of trust, particularly given the vulnerable population affected by the alleged conduct. The financial resources in question were reportedly intended to support elderly residents who rely on structured care services.

First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III addressed the case in strong terms, highlighting the scale of the alleged misconduct and its impact on the community.

“This defendant’s greed was astounding and the way he went about satisfying it was despicable. His conduct targeted and harmed a community of elderly New Yorkers, and he will now be held accountable for that. My office and our agency partners remain dedicated to rooting out and eliminating this type of conduct and we will relentlessly pursue anyone involved in it.”

Federal investigators from multiple agencies have joined the case, including the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG) and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division (IRS-CI). Both agencies emphasized their continued focus on tracking financial abuse involving federal funds.

Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge of the SSA-OIG Boston–New York Field Division, said the alleged actions involved the misuse of funds meant for vulnerable individuals.

“Mr. Green callously stole more than $500,000 from elderly beneficiaries, diverting the funds for his own benefit,” said Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge, Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG), Boston–New York Field Division. “We will continue to investigate those who misuse funds and work with our law enforcement partners to hold them accountable.”

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IRS Criminal Investigation officials echoed those concerns, stressing that financial crimes affecting public programs will continue to be aggressively pursued.

“Stealing money that was meant to support a community’s most vulnerable is simply unacceptable,” said Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of IRS-CI New York. “At IRS CI, we follow the money wherever it leads, and in this case, the path was clear. We’re committed to working alongside our partners to make sure anyone who abuses their position of trust faces the consequences.”

The charges filed against Green carry serious potential penalties if he is convicted. He faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release. In addition, the court may order restitution payments to compensate victims for financial losses.

Sentencing decisions, however, will ultimately be determined by a federal judge, who will consider statutory requirements, sentencing guidelines, and other relevant factors before issuing a final judgment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle, with investigative support provided by IRS-CI and SSA-OIG. Officials say the investigation remains ongoing.

The announcement also comes amid broader federal efforts to strengthen oversight of fraud cases involving public funds. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division, also referred to as the “Fraud Division.”

According to federal officials, the new division is focused on investigating and prosecuting fraud targeting American taxpayers and government programs. It is part of a wider initiative known as the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, which aims to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse across federal benefit systems.

Authorities say cases like this one highlight why such enforcement efforts are being expanded, particularly when allegations involve large sums of taxpayer-funded resources intended for healthcare and social support systems.

As the legal process moves forward, Green will remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court, as the case continues through the federal justice system.