October 28, 2005

DILLON ANNOUNCES:

ARREST OF FORMER GARDEN CITY ATTORNEY

Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon announced today the filing of Grand Larceny charges against attorney Kenneth B. Carnesi, 53 years old, last known address 114 Wyatt Road, Garden City. Carnesi is accused of stealing clients’ funds amounting to $247,102.81.

Carnesi is charged with two counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison; one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree; and one count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree.

Count 1 alleges that Carnesi stole $148,562.68 from a client between August 5, 2002 and December 14, 2002. The stolen money had been held in escrow in regard to two separate real estate transactions.

Count 2 charges Carnesi with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree in that Carnesi stole $51,090.13 from another client, between November 3, 2003 to November 6, 2004 in connection with various legal matters.

Count 3 charges Carnesi with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree for having stolen $45,450 from other clients, between April 11, 2003 to September 14, 2004. The stolen funds had been held in escrow in a mortgage foreclosure action.

Count 4 charges Carnesi with Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree for having stolen $2,000 from another client, between March 2, 2004 to September 14, 2004 in regard to false representations that Carnesi made to his client concerning the progress of a legal matter.

Carnesi was disbarred on the court’s acceptance of his resignation as an attorney on November 29, 2004. He was prosecuted federally on Money Laundering charges on which he was sentenced October 14, 2005. He is presently housed at the Queens Private Correctional Facility.

Carnesi will be arraigned later today in First District Court in Hempstead. The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.