Optician eyes leasing scam

An optician from New York is facing legal proceedings after being accused of allegedly stealing the identities of other licensed doctors to submit information and invoices to at least six financial institutions and medical equipment leasing companies to get reimbursements for eye care supplies that were never ordered or existed.

Maksim Grinberg is said to have received around $3.4 million from banks through fraudulent loans in a scam involving his estranged wife and business partner, as well as Steven Schuster, the owner of a medical supplies company.

Schuster received 4% of the loan proceeds, then sent the remainder to bank accounts belonging to Grinberg and his wife, the indictment says.

“This long-running scheme allegedly took advantage of banks and leasing companies as well as of hard-working doctors whose identities were stolen so they could be listed as loan guarantors,” said Brooklyn district attorney Ken Thompson.

,p>Lawyers allege that Grinberg, who co-owned two optical stores in the city, submitted 60 fraudulent transactions to Schuster’s company for 150 units of equipment when in reality they only had four, prosecutors charge.

Grinberg, the alleged ringleader, allegedly used the money to gamble at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, shop at luxury stores, have gourmet dinners with his girlfriend, and rent a condo in Battery Park City.

If found guilty, Grinberg faces up to 25 years in prison. He is being held on $1 million bond and has surrendered his passport, and has already paid back $1 million of the money embezzled.