Newport Real Estate Property Manager Indicted: US Attorney

NEWPORT, RI — The property manager at Landings Real Estate, based in Newport, has been indicted, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Gregory Meeker, 55, of Barrington, allegedly pocketed some $200,000 connected with real estate development projects, such as the Newport Beach Club in Portsmouth and a new hotel in Middletown. A federal grand jury last week charged him with 12 counts of fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

He allegedly created phony invoices from subcontractors working on big construction projects under his management. He started the scheme in December 2015 soon after he took the job with Landings Real Estate Group. Landings paid the invoices. Then Meeker he forged endorsements on checks made payable to the subcontractors and deposited the checks in an account he controlled.

He allegedly opened the account using another person's identity and without that person's permission.

Besides the Newport Beach Club project, "several luxury residences in Portsmouth; the East Island Reserve Project," a camp-style hotel in Middletown; and the Long Meadow Landings Project, an apartment complex in Groton, Conn., were also involved in Meeker's scheme, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

He also allegedly forged an "Inspection Department" endorsement on checks to the Town of Portsmouth. The checks were drawn on the bank account connected to the Newport Beach Club project and deposited in Meeker's account. Meeker was released on an $100,000 unsecured bond.

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