Crime & Safety

E. Patchogue Man Sentenced For Defrauding Grandfather

Michael Ostrowski will serve two years in prison and is forced to repay more than $85K to the IRS.

A federal court judge in Boston has sentenced an East Patchogue man to two years in prison and three years probation on various charges related to his of the court-appointed guardianship of his elderly grandfather.

On Jan. 9, Michael Ostrowski, 42, pleaded guilty to various charges including conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, interstate transportation of stolen property and failure to file an income tax return.

Federal Court Judge Michael A. Ponsor ordered Ostrowski to pay restitution of $100,459 to MassHealth and more than $85,000 to the Internal Revenue Service.

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In addition, Ponsor also ordered the forfeiture of $179,500 in cash, a flat-panel television, a 39mm semi-automatic assault rifle and a 2006 GMC Sierra pickup, all of which Ostrowski purchased with the proceeds of his fraud, the United States Attorney’s Office said.

On June 20, 2006, Ostrowski became temporary guardian for his grandfather, who was incapacitated with dementia, and was required to manage his assets and administer the estate in his grandfather’s best interests.

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Instead, Ostrowski engaged in a conspiracy to defraud MassHealth and his grandfather by spending his grandfather’s assets for the benefit of himself and others forcing MassHealth to pay for his grandfather’s care, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

In addition, Ostrowski misappropriated more than $300,000 of his grandfather’s liquid assets.  He lied to the Franklin Family and Probate Court concerning his temporary guardianship, lied to MassHealth regarding the disposition of his grandfather’s assets, and lied to his successor temporary guardian, officials said.


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