Colonie man admits to obtaining nearly $70,000 in fraudulent COVID benefits

A Colonie man pleaded guilty on Thursday to fraudulently obtaining nearly $70,000 in COVID relief benefits.

Rocco “Rock” Resciniti, 50, admitted in U.S. District Court that he provided Carl J. DiVeglia III with the personal identifying information of three people. DiVeglia used that information to file false claims for unemployment benefits, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Resciniti faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when sentenced on July 18. He also must pay restitution.

DiVeglia previously pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $1.6 million in unemployment benefits as part of this scheme. Charges against two co-defendants, Todd Ward and Jamaine Myers, are still pending.

A third co-defendant, Christopher Ward, pleaded guilty earlier this month.