DA: Glen Cove Woman Stole $30G From Undocumented Immigrants

A Glen Cove woman, who cheated others out of thousands of dollars in a “savings club,” was arrested Thursday, authorities said.

Norma Espinoza, 37, started the scheme, which officials say is known in the El Salvadorian community as “Cuchubal,” in 2012.

Glen Cove Police say participants were asked to make a regular $200 cash contribution to a common fund, overseen by Espinoza. Each participant would make weekly payment to Espinoza, and after a year they would be entitled $10,400.

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Espinoza enticed members of the El Salvadorian community to join the club by claiming that, as undocumented immigrants without social security numbers, they would be unable to open a bank account, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.

After their year of contributing was up, the defendant, Espinoza, made excuses for not paying the players their money,” Lt. John Nagle said, in a statement.

“This caused some of the players to report the game to the Glen Cove Police,” he added.

Glen Cove Det. Karl Van Allen and Officer Eddy Linares began an investigation in November. As the investigation intensified, the DA’s Office provided assistance, leading to Espinoza’s arrest.

Espinoza stole more than $30,000 and has not returned or accounted for the money, according to the DA’s Office.

She is charged with three counts of third-degree grand larceny, two counts of second-degree grand larceny and first-degree scheme to defraud.

Espinoza, who is represented by Legal Aid of Nassau, is due back in court Friday.

If convicted of the top charge, Espinoza faces up to seven years in prison.

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