Crime & Safety
Westchester Artist Accused Of Defrauding Dutchess Church Of $50K: Sheriff
After never actually doing the artwork he was paid to do, a complaint was filed, and an investigation led to the arrest, investigators say.
DUTCHESS COUNTY, NY — A commission from the church helped launch the careers of the most famous artists in history, but a recent case in the Hudson Valley had a much different ending.
The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office says that 35-year-old Fatjon Sulaj, of Yonkers, was arrested on Tuesday in connection to an investigation into the larceny of money under false pretenses.
After the Sheriff's Office's Detective Bureau received a complaint about a month ago, an investigation was conducted, resulting in Sulaj's arrest, police said.
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He is accused of stealing over $50,000 after he was hired to do artwork for a local church, but then did not actually do the work.
Sulaj was charged with felony second-degree grand larceny. After processing, he was released with an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of Hyde Park Court on August 12.
Find out what's happening in Mid Hudson Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Detectives say that the investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about this case or similar incidents involving Sulaj is urged to contact Detective Catuzza at 845-486-3820 or send an email to this address. Information can also be supplied through the Sheriff's Office tipline at 845-605-2583 or via email, and all information will be kept confidential.
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