Ex-Astoria community board member jailed for rental scam

25-55 48th Street in Astoria
25-55 48th Street in Astoria

A former member of Queens’ Community Board 1 was sentenced to four months in prison for conning 14 people by taking rental deposits on an apartment that wasn’t available. Mario Lalicata, who pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny earlier this month, was also sentenced to five years of probation.

Lalicata would use Craigslist to lure his victims, and after showing them the apartment at 25-55 48th Street in Astoria, he would collect the first month’s rent and a security deposit.

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After he collected the money, Lalicata would suddenly become very hard to reach, the Astoria Post reported. His sentence also requires him to make a total restitution of $12,575, a spokesperson for the Queens District Attorneys office told the newspaper. [Astoria Post]  – Hiten Samtani