(WNY News Now) – Clarence, NY — Damian M. Baird, a 52-year-old former investment broker from Clarence, has been sentenced to one year in jail for embezzling over $150,000 from his clients in Erie County. The sentencing, delivered by Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case, took place last Wednesday.
Between February 3, 2023, and March 15, 2023, Baird exploited his position as an investment broker to fraudulently obtain a total of $153,503 from four accounts belonging to two clients. Instead of depositing the checks into the clients’ investment accounts, Baird diverted the funds into his personal bank account. The fraudulent activity came to light after one of the clients filed a dispute upon noticing that their investment account had not been funded and their check had been altered to be payable to Baird.
Following a thorough investigation led by Detective Mark Muscoreil of the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, Baird was charged and subsequently pleaded guilty to four counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, which are Class “D” felonies. As part of his plea agreement, Baird signed Confessions of Judgment to repay the full amount stolen. However, to date, he has not repaid any of the $153,503.
In addition to his jail sentence, Baird, who is not a U.S. citizen, faces deportation to the United Kingdom after completing his sentence.
Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane commended Detective Muscoreil for his diligent work on the case and emphasized the office’s commitment to prosecuting financial crimes. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brian P. Dassero of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.
Leave a Reply