Landscaper Charged with Stealing from Uncle’s Croton Garden-Supply Business

Pictured: Anthony Congello, Jr.

CROTON, N.Y. – The nephew of the owner of a Croton garden-supply store has been charged with a litany of felonies for stealing more than $140,000 from the business, as well as failing to file his New York State personal income taxes.

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore and New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Commissioner Thomas H. Mattox said Friday that a joint investigation by the Croton-on-Hudson Police, the DA’s Office and the Department of Taxation and Finance, resulted in the arrest of Anthony Congello, Jr., 26, of 10 Pennyfield Ave,, the Bronx.

Congello was charged with one count of second-degree grand larceny; two counts of first-degree identity theft, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument; and one county of fourth-degree criminal tax fraud – all felonies.

DiFiore said that Congello is the nephew of the owner of Croton Country Gardens, a garden supply store in Croton. Congello was helping his uncle keep an eye on the finances for the store and, in return, his uncle allowed him to keep equipment from his own landscaping business, Anthony’s Landscape and Construction, at the store.

DiFiore said that between Aug. 27, 2012 and Jan. 8, 2014, Congello began to steal from Croton Country Gardens. She said that he initiated an automated bank draft from the store’s account to pay a loan and he cashed checks from the store’s account with his uncle’s forged signature on them.  He also allegedly made cash withdrawals using withdrawal slips with his uncle’s forged signature on them, and made unauthorized ATM withdraws using the store’s credit card at various Atlantic City casinos. DiFiore said he also charged large sums onto the store’s credit card to benefit his own business.

The approximate amount of the larceny is $140,658.

In addition, the indictment charges that Congello failed to file his New York State personal income taxes for tax year 2012.

Congello was arrested by the Croton-on-Hudson police. He is due back in court Wednesday. DiFiore said that, if convicted, he faces up to 15 years in state prison.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Mayes of the Economic Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case.