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PUBLIC SAFETY NEWS
From the City of Hartford Office of Communications and New Media
For Immediate Release:     Tuesday, June 26, 2012

HARTFORD MAN CHARGED WITH STEALING THOUSANDS IN LOTTERY SCAM

(Hartford) - A Hartford man turned himself in to Hartford Police on Monday, June 25, 2012, and was arraigned today in Hartford Superior Court on charges relating to his defrauding numerous elderly and vulnerable victims of thousands of dollars through a fraudulent lottery scheme. 

JASON SMITH, age 27, of 225 Newbury St., Hartford, was charged with two counts of Racketeering in violation of the Corrupt Organization and Racketeering Act (CORA), three counts of Larceny in the First Degree, seven counts of Larceny in the Second Degree, one count of Attempted Larceny in the First Degree, and Conspiracy to commit Larceny in the First Degree as a result of an investigation conducted by the Major Crimes Division of the Hartford Police Department.

The case was investigated by the Major Crimes Division of the Hartford Police Department and is being prosecuted by the Financial Crimes Bureau in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney. 

In commenting on the investigation, Mayor Pedro E. Segarra praised the collaboration between the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney and the Hartford Police Department’s Major Crimes Division, saying “It is multi-agency law enforcement collaboration, as exhibited in this investigation, that ensures those responsible for the victimization of others are brought to justice and held accountable for their actions.  I extend my appreciation and congratulations to both the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney and investigators of the HPD’s Major Crimes Division on a job well done.” 

Police Chief James C. Rovella echoed Mayor’s Segarra’s sentiments and praise of the work conducted by the Office of the Chief’s State’s Attorney and the HPD’s Major Crimes Division, “Let the results of this investigation be a message to internet fraud predators that they will be caught and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

According to the arrest warrant affidavit, the investigation was initiated on a referral from a Police Detective in Altamonte Springs, FL regarding a victim of the lottery scam residing there.   According to the warrant the victims were informed in writing or by phone that they had won Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes or another lottery.  The victims were then directed to send money for prepayment of fees and/or taxes by wire or Express Mail in order to collect their “winnings.”  Mr. Smith would allegedly receive those funds, keep a portion for himself and forward the rest to another member of the conspiracy.  Mr. Smith also recruited others to assist him in collecting the victims’ funds, allowing him to collect over $100,000 from the elderly and vulnerable victims. 

Mr. Smith was taken into custody on Monday, June 25th, 2012 on a $ 200,000 bond and was arraigned today, Tuesday, June 26, 2012, in Hartford Superior Court.

Each count of Racketeering is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.  The three counts of Larceny in the First Degree, Attempted Larceny in the First Degree, and Conspiracy to commit Larceny in the First Degree are each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.  Each count of Larceny in the Second Degree is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The charges against Mr. Smith are merely allegations and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.