Two Plainview men who conned thousands of victims out of more than $90 million by falsely claiming they won cash prizes were sentenced to prison Wednesday and ordered to forfeit millions of dollars, according to federal officials.
Sean Novis, 53, and Gary Denkberg, 59, were convicted last year by a federal jury for their roles in the mass mailing fraud schemes that targeted the elderly, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
U.S. District Judge Joan M. Azrack sentenced Novis to 7 1/2 years in prison and Denkberg to 5 1/2 years during a proceeding at the Alfonse M. D’Amato United States Courthouse in Central Islip. The judge also ordered Novis to forfeit $60 million and Denkberg to forfeit $19 million.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a news release that the sentencing was “an important step in delivering justice for the thousands of victims,” while adding in a statement that the Justice Department is accelerating efforts to investigate scams targeting seniors.