Michael Conway allegedly used fraudulent agreements to obtain financing from investors
NEW YORK -- A 39-year-old New Jersey man attempted to steal the identity of Mets owner Jeff Wilpon as part of a $3.5 million scheme to defraud investors, authorities said.
Michael Conway allegedly forged lease agreements with companies who lease office equipment and then used the fraudulent agreements to obtain financing from a lender, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Brooklyn said in a news release.
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The Verona resident showed the unnamed investor leases from approximately 58 companies, including law firms, universities, hospitals and hotels. That person then paid Conway approximately $3.1 million to purchase office equipment.
Conway allegedly forged Wilpon's signature on one of the phony authorization letters. Conway then used that letter to try to obtain financing from De Lage Landen Financial Solutions Partner, according to officials.
Conway actually had an agreement to do business with the Mets, NYDailyNews.com reported. He also leases a suite at Citi Field, the News said.
The president of Choice Office Solutions, Conway is charged with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. FBI agents searched his Fairfield office Wednesday morning, authorities said. He ran the scam from April 2014 through August 2015, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGoldmanNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
