By Hank Russell
An Illinois man has been arrested for grand larceny after he fraudulently obtained money from a Nassau County law firm last year.
According to detectives from the Nassau County Fraud and Forgery Unit, an undisclosed Nassau law firm received an email on February 27, 2024 requesting a change in payment instructions from a known business associate in regards to an upcoming settlement. The law firm wired $709,520 to the newly designated financial institution. Several weeks later, the law firm was contacted by the known business associate who stated that they still had not received the money.
After a thorough investigation, it was determined that the funds were wired to the business account of Robert Weathersby, 42, of 416 Bensley Avenue, Calumet City. He was placed under arrest without incident by the Chicago Police Department. According to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, Weathersby was indicted in Chicago on October 1, 2024 and had an outstanding arrest warrant.
Last week, Weathersby was extradited to Nassau County. He was charged with second-degree grand larceny and, on January 16, was arraigned at Nassau County Court in Mineola.