(WNY News Now) – Buffalo – Craig Arno, 62, of Hamburg, pleaded guilty to charges of Grand Larceny and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in connection with the theft of $342,036 from a deceased relative’s estate.
Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced that Craig Arno, a Hamburg resident aged 62, pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan. Arno admitted guilt to one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class “C” felony, and one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class “E” felony. This plea was entered to the highest sustainable charges.
Arno acknowledged that over a period spanning nearly seven years, from September 2016 to August 2023, he misappropriated a total of $342,036 from the estate of a deceased family member. Instead of fulfilling his duties as the executor of the will, which included donating the estate’s funds to local charities as specified, Arno transferred the money into his personal bank account. Furthermore, he failed to report these funds on his personal income tax returns. The suspected theft was brought to the attention of the District Attorney’s office by the Surrogate Court administrator.
Craig Arno is now awaiting sentencing, scheduled for Friday, September 27, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., where he faces a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison. He was released on his own recognizance pending sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Gary M. Ertel and Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Abrams from the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.
Leave a Reply