Insurance Man Charged in $7M Willie Rapfogel Scam at Met Council

By JTA November 15, 2013

Authorities charged the owner of a New York insurance company with helping William Rapfogel, the former chief of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, steal more than $7 million from the organization.

The owner, Joseph Ross, was arrested Wednesday and charged with a litany of crimes, including first-degree grand larceny and money laundering, according to The New York Times.

The scheme, in which Rapfogel allegedly pocketed more than $1 million for himself, spanned more than two decades, according to the criminal complaint.

According to the complaint, Ross’ company, Century Coverage in Valley Stream, N.Y., inflated invoices to Met Council. The illicit money was allegedly divided between Ross, Rapfogel and another person.

Rapfogel was fired from his post in August and arrested in September. At that time, the complaint listed $5 million as having been stolen. The new higher number suggests that authorities now believe the scheme involved even more money.

Ross did not enter a plea and was released on his own recognizance.

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