Complaint Review: Hemis Corporation - Tecton Corporation - Norman Meier - Nationwide

Although I do not wish to go into too much detail, I just want to say that Mr. Ciano's allegations are all wrong and unsubstantial. It can be proved that his statements are libel, and if the attacked persons so want, he can be subject to a criminal complaing. However, it may be of interest to the public he addresses to know some of this man's history. Mr. Ciano may well have forgotten about this - the story dates back to 2001 - but, maybe I can help him refresh his memory, quoting the following article: Press Release Office cf the New York State ttorney General Eliot Spitzer Department of Law 120 Broadway New York, NY 10271 Department of Law The State Capitol Albany, NY 12224 For More Information: (518) 473-5525 For lmmediate Release September 25,20A1 ORANGE COUNTY MAN SENTENCED IN REAL ESTATE SCHEME Former Cop Duped Investors with Promissory Notes Attorney General Spitzer today announced that an Orange County resident has been sentenced to one to three years in state prison for his role in a fraudulent scheme involving the financing of speculative residential real estate in Sullivan and Oranoe counties. Frank P. Ciano, 34, of Sparrow Bush was sentenced today by Orange County Court Judge Stewart A. Rosenwasser as the result of his guilty plea to charges of: Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class "D" felony; Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class "E" felony; and Fraud in the Sale of Securities also a class "E" felonv. Ciano, a former police officer with the village of Ellenville, stole approximately $145,000 from investors as part of the scheme, Using a number of real estate financing businesses that he formed, Ciano purchased low-cost, run-down residential properties. He advised investsrs that he intended to fix up the properties and then sell them at a profit. To solicit investors, Ciano gave promissory notes carrying a high rate of return. At the time of his plea, Ciano admitted that he pocketed the money he received from several investors and never intended to repay that money or the interest promised in the promissory notes he issued. Instead, Ciano used that money for other purposes, including substantial personal expenditures for himself and his wife. The initial complaint, filed by the City of Port Jervis Police Department, alleged that Ciano defrauded a single investor of $100,000. The investigation determined that there were additional victims and the court ordered that Ciano pay restitution to two victims totaling $145,000. TMZ Enterprises, Inc., a corporation owned by Ciano operating in Orange and Sullivan counties, also entered a plea of guilty to Fraud in the Sale of Securities, a class "E" felony and was ordered by the Court to pay fine of $1000. The Attorney General's Office began an inquiry into Ciano's practices in soliciting investments pursuant to its powers under New York State's securities fraud statute, the Martin Act. The Attorney General was aided in the investigation by the Orange County District Attorney's Office, the City of Port Jervis Police Department, the Sullivan County District Attorney's Office, and the New York State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assislant Attorney General Christopher P. Borek, under the supervision of Criminal Prosecutions Deputy Bureau Chief William Comiskey and Bureau Chief Janet Cohn. The matter was referred to the Attorney General by the Orange County District Attorney's Office. It is very easy to find this report in the internet. Just enter the following web address: h@://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/200 I /seplsep25a_0 Lhtml