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Councilman Ritchie Torres Takes Aim at Alleged Con Man at it Again

Councilman Ritchie Torres Takes Aim at Alleged Con Man at it Again
(L-R) LARRY WINAWER with Councilman Ritchie Torres (at podium) at a March 1 news conference. The two stand alongside a photographs showing photographs of R.A. Gregg purporting himself as head of the bogus New York State Community Affairs Bureau, Inc.
Photo by Alondra Vasquez

The alleged con man who exploited the generosity of people following the death of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz is at it again, according to Councilman Ritchie Torres.

Torres, at a news conference on March 1, reported that R.A. Gregg swindled $5,000 out of Larry Winawer over the purchase of a 1976 Cadillac Deville.

“In December I had saw an advertisement of a vehicle. Mr. Gregg had represented himself as Dr. Gregg and he claimed that he had purchased the vehicle years ago from a relative a fellow doctor and that he was the rightful owner of the vehicle,” said Winawer, adding that Gregg exchanged contact information and agreed on the transaction.

According to Winawer both men met in Staten Island and Winawer gave him a cashier’s check for the funds with Gregg giving him receipts and paperwork. “And what he claimed was the title in fact it turned out to be a color photo copy of the title so obviously I could do nothing with that in terms of having a rightful ownership claim,” said Winawer.

Gregg strung Winawer along, claiming the car was getting repairs at an “entity which turns out that it doesn’t exist or if does exist it is the same name of his corporation.”

Councilman Ritchie Torres Takes Aim at Alleged Con Man at it Again
A COLLECTION OF photographs shows a trail of evidence showing deceptive practices committed by Gregg including fake badges (top right image).
Photo by Alondra Vasquez

“At this point I demanded a full refund. But he refused to do that which bring us here today,” said Winawer. He is hopeful that the awareness will provide justice so that the public does not continue to suffer.

Gregg has had a history of swindling people in the Bronx, using nonprofit names that sound virtually the same as established state government departments. Among them is the New York State Community Affairs Bureau. A nonprofit listed under Gregg’s name through the New York State Department of State shows the New York State Community Affairs Bureau, Inc.

Torres said despite a cease and desist letter sent to Gregg back in September, “he has since continued to represent himself as the commissioner of the New York State Community Affairs Bureau.”

According to Torres, Gregg allegedly tried to set up a fake nonprofit organization under Lesandro’s name. Lesandro was stabbed to death in front of a bodega in Belmont allegedly by members of the Trinitarios. “What is distinctive about Mr. Gregg is that he uses government names, badges, business cards, insignia, symbols, to mislead members of the public in hopes of swindling them out of their might,” said Torres.

“So we have reported his conduct to the Governor’s office, the attorney general’s office and the New York City Department of Investigation calling on all law enforcement agencies to hold Mr. Gregg accountable for the fraud that he continues to perpetuate against the general public. He has many victims,” said Torres.

Gregg did not return a message seeking comment.

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