(Image from WIVB)

(MEDIA RELEASE)

BUFFALO – Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today former City of Dunkirk Mayor Richard L. Frey, 85, of Dunkirk, NY, who was convicted of wire fraud involving a scheme to defraud his mayoral campaign and his supporters by stealing campaign contributions for his personal benefit, was sentenced to six months home confinement by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $54,361.30.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John D. Fabian and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Edward P. Sullivan of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section, who handled the case, stated that the defendant was the City of Dunkirk mayor from January 2002 until January 2012. During that time, Frey had substantial personal debt.

From January 2003, to June 2012, the defendant devised and executed a scheme to defraud the co-owners of a hospitality company that owned a hotel in Dunkirk and the owner of a food production company in Dunkirk by inducing them to make contributions to his mayoral and other political campaigns. After receiving checks from these individuals, Frey, rather than depositing the funds into a campaign or official account, simply spent them for his own personal benefit. The contributions totaled $54,361.30. In addition, Frey failed to report or disclose the contributions on his campaign disclosure reports, which is required of local candidates for public office.

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Adam S. Cohen and the U.S. Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brad Geary.

(Image from WIVB)

(MEDIA RELEASE FROM U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE)

BUFFALO – Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced Wednesday former City of Dunkirk Mayor Richard L. Frey, 85, of Dunkirk, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to wire fraud involving a scheme to defraud his mayoral campaign and his supporters by stealing campaign contributions for his personal benefit. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John D. Fabian and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Edward P. Sullivan of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section, who are handling the case, stated that the defendant was the City of Dunkirk mayor from January 2002 until January 2012. During that time, Frey had substantial personal debt.

From January 2003, to June 2012, the defendant devised and executed a scheme to defraud the co-owners of a hospitality company that owned a hotel in Dunkirk and the owner of a food production company in Dunkirk by inducing them to make contributions to his mayoral and other political campaigns. After receiving checks from these individuals, Frey, rather than depositing the funds into a campaign or official account, simply spent them for his own personal benefit. The contributions totaled $54,361.30. In addition, Frey failed to report or disclose the contributions on his campaign disclosure reports, which is required of local candidates for public office.

The plea is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Adam S. Cohen and the U.S. Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brad Geary.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 11, 2017, at 1 p.m. before Judge Arcara.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office says 66 year-old Richard Frey was traveling down an undisclosed road in Sherman at about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, when he allegedly ran into and killed a dog with his vehicle. After hitting the dog Frey left the scene. After a short investigation it was found that Frey had seen the dog in front of his car and continued to travel forward into the dog.

Frey was arrested and charged with Agriculture and Markets law overdriving, torturing, injuring animals. He was issued an appearance ticket and will appear in the Town of Sherman Court on a later date.

On Thursday, Frey appeared before a federal judge in Buffalo and was arraigned on 12 counts of wire fraud and one count of making a false statement to the FBI.

According to a north county media outlet, Frey pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on his own recognizance.  He will return to court later this year in July.

The 83-year-old Frey is accused of taking an estimated $14,000 from his campaign fund and using the money in his personal accounts between 2003 and 2012 while he served as Mayor of Dunkirk.

If found guilty on all charges, Frey faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.