Thursday, July 8, 2010

Woman faked 170 liquor license applications

From the Daily News:

A Queens woman has pleaded guilty to faking over 170 liquor license applications she worked on with immigrants looking to open bars, authorities said.

Ellen Lee, 39, faked the signatures of two lawyers on the applications, said the Manhattan district attorney's office. Lee was hired by immigrants who needed help navigating the State Liquor Authority.

She entered her guilty plea Wednesday and faces up to four years behind bars after sentencing.

"False documents like the ones filed by the defendant lead directly to the establishment of bars in areas where they do not belong, and to the issuance of liquor licenses to people who are prohibited from selling alcohol," said Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.

The phony paperwork caught the eye of SLA employees who teamed up with the DA's office to investigate how Lee falsified the information, authorities said.

SLA Deputy CEO Michael Jones warned that the agency is continuing to comb through applications looking for more crooks.

"If you submit fraudulent applications to the State Liquor Authority we will catch you, the DA will prosecute you, and you will face serious consequences," said Jones.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

They go after licenses only bacause it mean$ the lo$$ of buck$.

Everything else those folks do - from illegal conversions to taco trucks and hookah bars are strictly verboten in enforcement.

Gotta make the Sanctuary City a frienly magnent to future Democrats!

Anonymous said...

The DA is only prosecuting her because she victimized poor, non-english speaking immigrants. boo hoo. If she did the same to US Citizens they'd be charged with crimes as well.

Anonymous said...

H-m-m-m...bilking her own kind?

Deke DaSilva said...

Ellen Lee, 39, faked the signatures of two lawyers on the applications, said the Manhattan district attorney's office. Lee was hired by immigrants who needed help navigating the State Liquor Authority.

Bilking immigrants!!!

Jobs Americans are no longer willing to do!!

Vibrant!!! Diverse!!!!