Norwich Accountant Arrested on Federal Charges Stemming from Alleged Investment Scheme

The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that FELIX ROBERT LaSARACINA, 59, of Norwich, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering offenses stemming from an alleged scheme to defraud several investors.

According to statements made in court, it is alleged that LaSARACINA, a certified public account, devised and executed a scheme to defraud victim investors by using investment funds that were entrusted to him to pay personal and business expenses. It is further alleged that LaSARACINA also used some funds from recent investors to make “lulling payments” to earlier victims of his scheme.

Following LaSARACINA’s arrest this morning, he appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and was released on a bond, cosigned by family members, in the amount of $500,000. Judge Martinez ordered as special conditions of his release that LaSARACINA not enter the grounds of any casino, and that he receive a professional evaluation to determine if he has a gambling addiction.

The investigation into this alleged scheme is ongoing, and any victims or other individuals with information related to this scheme are encouraged to contact the FBI at (203) 777-6311.

The mail fraud and wire fraud charges carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and the money laundering charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and the State of Connecticut’s Office of the Chief State’s Attorney. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nora R. Dannehy and Michael S. McGarry.