Connecticut Siblings Face Federal Charges in $1.2 Million Unclaimed Property Fraud Scheme

Two siblings from Old Greenwich, Connecticut, are facing federal charges after authorities say they conspired to fraudulently claim more than $1.2 million in unclaimed property from state treasuries across the country. The charges follow a federal investigation into a scheme involving false certifications, misuse of corporate identities, and the redirection of funds for personal expenses.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, 75-year-old Henry J. White, Jr. and 69-year-old Patricia A. White collaborated in submitting fraudulent claims using the names of corporate entities with which Henry White had no legitimate affiliation. Authorities allege he submitted applications under penalty of perjury, falsely representing himself as authorized to collect unclaimed property owed to those corporations.

After the funds were disbursed by various state treasuries and mailed to the pair’s shared Connecticut residence, the two allegedly deposited and cashed the checks. Federal prosecutors state the proceeds were used for personal expenditures, including payments on their jointly owned home.

The FBI is leading the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is handling the prosecution. If convicted, both defendants could face a maximum of five years in prison, a term of supervised release, and financial penalties. The case remains in the early stages, and both individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania

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