MINEOLA, N.Y. – Acting Nassau County District Attorney Joyce A. Smith announced that a Seaford man, acting as a broker for individuals looking to buy and sell boats, allegedly stole more than $35,000 of the proceeds from the sale of a boat belonging to his client.
Brendan Daly, 61, of Seaford, was arrested Wednesday and charged with one count of grand larceny in the third degree (a D felony). The defendant faces a maximum sentence of two and one-third to seven years in prison if convicted. Daly was arraigned before Judge Christopher Coschignano and is due back in court on July 8, 2021.
“This defendant allegedly used his position and access as middle-man in the sale of a luxury boat to swindle his client out of more than $35,000 in profit,” said Acting DA Smith. “We encourage anyone who believes they may have been victimized by this defendant to call our Complaint Unit at (516) 571-3505.”
Acting DA Smith said that in 2019, Daly, the owner of All Point Yacht Sales in Port Jefferson, N.Y., acted as broker for a boat owner to help facilitate the sale and transfer of his boat for $157,000 to a buyer.
The boat’s owner had an existing lien on the vessel for $119,872 that Daly was responsible for paying once he received funds from the prospective buyer. The remaining funds, minus Daly’s $1,250 commission, totaled $35,807.88 and were to be sent directly to Daly’s client.
Instead, Daly allegedly paid the existing lien on the boat, but never transferred the remaining funds to his client as required. Despite repeated attempts by Daly’s client to contact him through email, text, phone, and mutual contacts, Daly allegedly never responded or transferred the funds.
If you believe you have been the victim of Brendan Daly, please contact the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Complaint Unit at (516) 571-3505.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Investigative Counsel Heidi Bausk and Senior Assistant District Attorney Erica Zimmerman of the Financial Crimes Bureau. The defendant was represented at arraignment by the Legal Aid Society.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
###