Accomplice in Swindle At ME's Office Gets 70-Month Jail Term

A second ranking official in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was sentenced Oct. 27 to 70 months behind bars for her role in embezzling $13 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency grants meant to identify 9/11 victims.

Former Medical Examiner's Director of Records Rosa Abreu worked directly under the scam's ringleader, former Director of Management Information Systems Natarajan Venkataram. The two were charged with steering agency funds, most of which originated from FEMA grants, to three firms headed by a third conspirator between 1999 and 2004. That individual then transferred large sums to shell companies created by Ms. Abreu and Mr. Venkataram, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison in July after being convicted of embezzlement and conspiracy.

Ms. Abreu was also ordered to pay a forfeiture and restitution of more than $1.4 million.

Co-conspirator Muhammad Naseh was responsible for holding the $13 million in shell companies. He awaits sentencing.

City Investigation Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn said in a statement, "As New Yorkers struggled to recover from the unspeakable wrong committed by terrorists, two city employees breached our trust and stole an enormous sum of money intended to help the authorities identify and seek justice for those who were killed ... The sentencing of both defendants allows this disturbing chapter of our city's story to end with a measure of justice and deterrence."