Queens Accountant Indicted for Multiple Real Estate Investment Fraud Schemes and Federal Bankruptcy Fraud

Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, an indictment was unsealed charging Alberto Gomez, an accountant with a practice in Elmhurst, New York, with wire fraud and bankruptcy fraud in connection with multiple real estate investment fraud schemes. Those schemes included soliciting and obtaining investments for the purchase of property he purported to own but did not, and for investments of more than 100% ownership interest in properties across Long Island, resulting in losses to over a dozen victims in excess of $3 million. Gomez then fraudulently filed for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York in an attempt to discharge his debts. Gomez was arrested this morning in Boca Raton, Florida, and will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the arrest and charges.

"As alleged in the indictment, Gomez brazenly stole millions of dollars from over a dozen investors, some of whom staked their life's savings on his lies, and then he shamelessly declared bankruptcy, doubling down by lying to the court as well," stated United States Attorney Nocella. "Our Office will vigorously prosecute serial fraudsters like Gomez."

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the FBI Miami Office/West Palm Beach Resident Agency for their assistance with today's arrest.

"Alberto Gomez allegedly orchestrated multiple real estate investment fraud schemes by misrepresenting property ownership, soliciting investments for properties he did not control, and collecting funds exceeding the value of real-estate on Long Island. These schemes caused more than $3 million in losses to over a dozen victims. The FBI will continue working alongside our partners at the U.S. Attorney's Office to pursue those who defraud investors and abuse the integrity of our financial systems," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

As set forth in the indictment, from approximately April 2021 through November 2024, Gomez, who operated an accounting practice in Elmhurst, solicited real estate investors to purchase, in whole or in part, various properties in New York. Gomez promised exclusive ownership or partnership in these properties, or sought funding for renovations and capital improvements necessary to flip the properties for profit. One such property was located in Mount Vernon, and was the sole asset of a domestic limited liability company for which Gomez had filed Articles of Organization, but in which he himself had no ownership or managerial interest. Nevertheless, Gomez negotiated and executed ownership, purchase and partnership agreements with multiple investors, resulting in the effective sale of 266% of the ownership interest in that property. Approximately one year later, Gomez filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to discharge the debts he owed to these investors. In that filing, he falsely concealed his largest creditor and led the bankruptcy Trustee to believe that he owned the domestic limited liability company and its property.

Gomez similarly solicited investors, many of whom were elderly, in properties across Long Island. After executing multiple fraudulent joint venture or partnership agreements, Gomez sold 125% ownership interest in a property located in Mill Neck, and 130% ownership interest in a property located in East Hampton. Gomez also solicited investments in properties located in Glen Cove, Elmont and Bayville with promises to rehabilitate the properties and thereby garner higher resale value. No renovations or improvements were done to these properties; rather, Gomez used the investors' funds to pay personal expenses and to pay back other investors.

The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Gomez faces up to 20 years' imprisonment on each of the four wire fraud counts, and up to five years' imprisonment on the bankruptcy fraud count.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. In June 2019, the Attorney General announced the establishment of the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force. The Eastern District of New York was one of six U.S. Attorneys' Offices to be selected to be a part of this joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Branch, the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and other organizations. If you or someone you know is a victim of elder fraud, please call the Department of Justice's National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).

The government's case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office's Long Island Division. Assistant United States Attorney Charles P. Kelly is in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Samantha Schroder and Victim Witness Specialist Stephanie Marroquin.

The Defendant:

ALBERTO GOMEZ (also known as "Alberto L. Gomez")
Age: 48
Boca Raton, Florida

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-227 (JMA)