Making sure our community and children are safe has always been a priority of mine. We live in a time when our children, our most vulnerable community members, are exposed to more dangers than ever, which is why it is important that we continue the fight to protect them. That’s why I’m sponsoring of several pieces of legislation that help protect our children from predators and criminals – especially repeat offenders.

A Statement Released by United States Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr., Western District of New York

BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Richard Pascucci, 31, of Lancaster, N.Y., who was convicted of wire fraud, was sentenced to a 30 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. Judge Arcara also ordered Pascucci to pay $261,000 in restitution to two victims.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Campana, who handled the case, stated that in 2009, while working as a self-employed financial advisor, Pasucci stole $206,000 from an elderly woman. The defendant then stole $55,000 from a second victim in 2010. Pascucci had given investment advice to both victims before stealing their money and using it for his own living expenses. Judge Arcara ordered Pascucci to make full to the estate of his first victim, who died last spring as well as the second victim.