Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Philip R. Bartlett, Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), and George P. Beach II, the Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), announced today the unsealing of a Complaint charging MARK CINA with mail fraud. The charge arises from an alleged fraudulent scheme whereby CINA embezzled millions of dollars from two companies where he was comptroller, over the course of at least approximately seven years. Cina was presented this morning before Honorable Lisa Margaret Smith, United States Magistrate Judge.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “As alleged, Mark Cina, who was entrusted with the finances of two local manufacturers in Poughkeepsie, abused that trust to spend the companies’ money on himself. For years, Cina allegedly used company money to gamble, pay his rent, dine out, and fund a host of other personal expenses. I want to thank our partners at the State Police and the Postal Inspection Service for their work to uncover and stop this fraud.”

USPIS Inspector-in-Charge Philip R. Bartlett said: “As a Comptroller, Mr. Cina was placed in a position of trust. As alleged, he violated his employer’s trust when he decided to use company money to fund his lifestyle. He was promptly arrested by Postal Inspectors and will be brought to justice for his alleged thievery.”

NYSP Superintendent George P. Beach II said: “This arrest should serve as a reminder that those who choose to abuse their positions will be brought to justice. For years this suspect allegedly stole funds from a legitimate business, using the money for his own enjoyment and personal gain. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the New York Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their continued partnerships. The State Police will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to end these types of crimes and hold accountable those who mistakenly think they can get away with these schemes.”

As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today in White Plains federal court[1]:

During all times relevant to the Complaint, two manufacturing companies were in operation, with plants located in the Town of Poughkeepsie (“Company-1” and “Company-2,” collectively the “Companies”). Company-1 designed and manufactured solar energy products such as solar-powered roof shingles. Company-1’s work included, for example, a solar-powered ring of lights encircling the top of MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey. Company-2 fabricated molded plastic.

The Companies were founded by an entrepreneur (“Victim-1”). During all times relevant to the Complaint, Victim-1 was the primary investor in and owner of the Companies.

In or about 2008, Victim-1 hired MARK CINA, the defendant, as a part-time bookkeeper for Company-1. In or about 2010, CINA became employed full-time for the Companies as comptroller. As comptroller, CINA was responsible for the day-to-day financial operations of the Companies. During some of the time period relevant to this Complaint, CINA had authority to sign checks for the Companies and to carry and use the Companies’ credit cards and ATM cards. CINA remained so employed until in or about August 2015, when he was terminated.

In or about September 2015, Victim-1 appeared at a New York State Police barracks in Dutchess County. Victim-1 reported, in part and substance, that a former employee of the Companies had stolen company funds. Thereafter, the New York State Police commenced an investigation, which federal law enforcement officers later joined. As summarized in the Complaint, the investigation yielded myriad evidence showing that CINA had defrauded Victim-1, via the Companies, of millions of dollars over the course of at least approximately seven years. CINA did so by, among other things, using the Companies’ funds for himself to gamble, pay his rent, drive rental cars, dine out, get his car washed, bail out an arrestee, and, in one instance, pay a phone charge for an inmate’s call.

According to, among other things, business and financial records obtained during the criminal investigation, and a forensic report prepared by an accounting firm, CINA made the following disbursements of the Companies’ funds, from in or about 2009 through in or about 2015, which were not authorized, and which had no apparent or recorded business purpose:

• Payments to a mini-mart (approximately $457,000)

• Payments to a gas station (approximately $180,000)

• Payment of CINA’s rent (approximately $25,000)

• Payment of CINA’s personal credit card bills (approximately $125,000)

• Checks payable to CINA (non-payroll) (approximately $599,000)

• Checks payable to cash (approximately $282,000)

• Cash withdrawals (approximately $825,000)

• Additional unauthorized charges (including charges to pharmacies, medical and dental facilities, a rental car company, a car wash facility, an inmate phone service, and for purported loans from family members of CINA)

* * *

CINA, 56, of Pleasant Valley, New York, is charged with one count of mail fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative efforts of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the New York State Police, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, and the Office’s criminal investigators. He also thanked the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.

The case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Martin and Benjamin Allee are in charge of the prosecution.