UPDATE: Oceanside Man Charged with Stealing $18K in Taxpayer Money

Update: April 22, 3:32 p.m.

Antonacci's attorney, Todd Spodek of Spodek Law Group, said: "Upon learning of Nassau Counties investigation, we immediately arranged Mr. Antonacci's surrender. We are reviewing the allegations, and anticipate a speedy resolution of all charges."

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ORIGINAL STORY (Published April 2, 2013)

An Oceanside man has been charged with grand larceny after allegedly stealing more than $18,000 in unemployment insurance benefits to which he was not entitled by hiding employment that paid him more than $90,000 annually.

 According to Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, 47-year-old Joseph Antonacci was arrested Tuesday morning by DA Investigators and charged with grand larceny in the third degree.

Rice said that Antonacci began receiving unemployment insurance benefits in March 2010 and continued to receive them until June 2011, collecting $405 per week from the taxpayer-funded program. He also received a weekly supplement from the federal government of $25 per week from March 2010 to December 2010.

In July 2010, however, Antonacci began work as the facilities director for the non-profit Educational Alliance in Manhattan where he was paid a salary of $3,653 every two weeks, Rice said.

Antonacci never reported the new job of facilities director to the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL), as required, and continued to fraudulently receive unemployment insurance benefit payments totaling approximately $18,370, Rice said.

The theft was discovered by the NYSDOL in late 2011 during a review of their records and referred to the DA’s Office in November 2012, Rice said.

“These benefits are set aside to help those who are truly in need, not a scam artist looking to make a quick buck on the backs of honest taxpayers,” Rice said. “My office will continue to work with the department of labor to root out those who seek to abuse this essential program and we will be seeking full restitution.”

Antonacci is also facing separate charges in Manhattan that he stole from fellow employees and his employer, Rice said.

Antonacci faces up to seven years in prison if convicted. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday at First District Court in Hempstead.