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Wednesday, February 1, 2017
FORMER DUNKIRK MAYOR PLEADS GUILTY
BUFFALO, N.Y.—Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr.
announced today 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 1:00 p.m.
before Judge Arcara.