Ex-company comptroller charged with mail fraud

A Dutchess County man was charged with allegedly embezzling over $2.5M from two companies where he was comptroller.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. » A Dutchess County man has been charged by federal authorities with mail fraud for allegedly embezzling more than $2.5 million from two companies where he was employed as comptroller.

Mark Cina, 56, of Pleasant Valley, allegedly committed the crimes over at least a seven-year period, authorities said.

According to the federal court complaint, Cina worked for two companies with the same primary investor – a solar energy products manufacturer and a molded plastic fabricator. Cina allegedly used the money, for among other things, to gamble, pay his rent, drive rented cars, dine out, get his car washed, bail out an arrestee, and, in one instance, pay a phone charge for an inmate’s call.

According to the charges, he racked up the following approximate payments:

• $457,000 to a minimart.

• $180,000 to a gas station. • $25,000 to pay his rent. • $125,000 for personal credit card bills.

• $599,000 for non-payroll expenses.

• $282,000 payable to cash.

• $825,000 in cash withdrawals.

Additional unauthorized charges included to pharmacies, medical and dental facilities, a rental car company, a car wash facility, an inmate phone service, and purported loans from family members of Cina.

If convicted, Cina could face up to 20 years in federal prison.

The case was investigated by the US Postal Inspection Service, State Police, IRS and the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office.