New Arrest In Check Washing Scheme That Targeted Lincoln Hall Non-Profit: NYSP

SOMERS, NY — An organized effort to defraud an organization that helps Hudson Valley families has led to a new arrest, according to police.

New York State Police say that the Somers Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) has arrested the fifth and final person connected to a grand larceny scheme involving Lincoln Hall, a nonprofit residential facility in Somers that helps underserved families.

In February of 2024, three Lincoln Hall checks totaling $84,772.14 were stolen, altered, and deposited into several bank accounts, according to state police.

The investigation resulted in five arrests over the past year, with all five people charged with felony third-degree grand larceny.

On July 31, 2024, 22-year-old Ghordyn A. Russell, of Inwood, was arrested after allowing a fraudulent check to be deposited into her account, according to investigators.

Tanisha S. Lambright, 36, of the Bronx, was arrested on October 1, 2024, after depositing a forged check for $31,346.58, investigators said.

In February, 26-year-old Franklin A. Breton, and 30-year-old Destinyjoy Balgobin, both of the Bronx, were arrested after investigators say they uncovered ATM transactions connected to the stolen checks.

On Wednesday, 50-year-old Lenys A. Solano Cueva, of the Bronx, was arrested after police accused her of allowing a $29,400.56 check to be deposited into her account and for later withdrawing $25,000 for her personal use. She was arraigned on the same day in the Town of Somers Court, released on her own recognizance, and is scheduled to appear again on Monday.