Party Crasher Busted For Stealing $15K Tribeca Film Fest Access

TRIBECA, NY — An infamous party crasher was indicted for scamming his way into Tribeca Film Festival events by forging $15,000 in checks for a VIP package, according to court papers.

Convicted con-artist Priyantha De Silva, 59, was hit with charges including grand larceny and the possession of stolen property Tuesday in Manhattan Supreme Court where prosectors accused De Silva of purchasing tickets to the festival in April using two forged checks.

De Silva also allegedly deposited fraudulent checks into his account in an effort to steal about $4,300, according to prosecutors.

The high-society loving scammer was sentenced to up to three years in prison in 2011 for slipping in the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center's charity gala, where De Silva bid on a $1,500 Prada bag during an auction with a fake credit card.

He also has convictions for possession of a forged instrument and grand larceny in 2015, grand larceny in 2012 and attempted grand larceny in 2007, according to authorities.

DeSilva was ordered held on $7,500 bail, as he does not have a permanent address.

A screening at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival at the Financial District's iPic Theaters on April 26. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Toth/Getty Images)