Federal authorities say Michael Conway used fake agreements, including one with New York Mets owner Jeff Wilpon, to get investors. Watch video
NEW YORK -- A Verona man has admitted to a running a scam that tricked investors out of more than $4 million, which included trying to steal the identity of New York Mets owner Jeff Wilpon.
Michael Conway, 40, pleaded guilty on Thursday to wire fraud in connection with a scheme to dupe investors out of millions by forging lease agreements and using them to get financing, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Eastern District of New York.
Conway admitted to creating fake lease agreements indicating that Choice Office Solutions LLC, where he is president, had lucrative contracts with more than 50 companies to lease office equipment.
A closer look at the scam to steal Wilpon's identity
Authorities said Conway then used those fraudulent lease agreements, including one with the New York Mets, to get the investors - a single person and De Lage Landen Financial Solutions Partner - to turn over to him more than $4 million.
Investigators learned Conway claimed to have lease agreements with about 58 companies, including law firms, universities, hospitals, and hotels. He also claimed to have a leasing agreement with the New York Mets, authorities said. He used that lease agreement and a forged authorization letter from the New York Mets purportedly signed by Wilpon to get financing from De Lage, according to the plea announcement by Eastern District U.S. Attorney Robert Capers and Diego Rodriguez, assistant director in charge of the FBI's New York field office.
Conway faces up to 20 years in prison and will be required to pay nearly $3.6 million in restitution to the individual investor and $1.2 million to De Lage, the release said.
MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.