Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., announced the sentencing of PATRICK TASSY, 31, to five years probation and a $2,500 fine for forging the signatures of legitimate liquor license holders on applications to the New York State Liquor Authority (“SLA”) for special events caterers’ permits, and selling those permits to third parties. On December 21, 2011, TASSY pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, Identity Theft in the First Degree, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. 

 

Additionally, MOHAMED ALSAIDI, 39, pleaded guilty today in Manhattan Criminal Court to Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Third Degree, for forging signatures on liquor license applications submitted to the SLA. He was sentenced to three years probation.

 

“These liquor license expediters didn’t just cut corners in obtaining licenses and permits for their clients – they also broke the law,” said District Attorney Vance. “I would like to thank the State Liquor Authority for its rigorous monitoring of individuals who try to skirt the law.” 

 

SLA Chairman Dennis Rosen said: “We would like to thank the SLA examiners who uncovered these fraudulent applications and the Manhattan DA’s office for taking tough action against those who attempt to skirt the licensing process. Today’s sentencing reinforces the SLA’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of the licensing process for all who sell alcoholic beverages.”

 

PATRICK TASSY

According to documents filed in court, the investigation into TASSY revealed that between November 2007 and November 2009, in order to wrongfully obtain special event caterers’ permits, TASSY used legitimate licensees’ information and forged their signatures on applications he submitted to the SLA office in Manhattan. These licensees were unaware that their information—including their SLA license numbers, dates of birth, and other personal identifying information—was being used without their permission. TASSY sold these permits to individuals who were either trying to open new liquor establishments, or who were operating unlicensed establishments in and around New York City.  

 

MOHAMED ALSAIDI

According to today’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, between September 2009 and April 2010, ALSAIDI prepared and submitted six applications with forged signatures to the SLA office in Manhattan in order to obtain liquor licenses for third parties. ALSAIDI forged the names of two different attorneys on these applications without the lawyers’ knowledge or permission. ALSAIDI also submitted an application that contained a letter he had forged.

 

Assistant District Attorney Brian P. Weinberg of the Rackets Bureau’s Public Integrity Unit handled the cases under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Daniel G. Cort, Chief of the Public Integrity Unit and Acting Chief of the Rackets Bureau. Supervising Investigator Michael Wigdor assisted on both cases.

 

District Attorney Vance thanked the State Liquor Authority for referring both cases.

 

Defendant Information:

 

PATRICK TASSY, D.O.B. 4/28/80

Brooklyn, N.Y.

 

Convicted:

• Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 1 count

• Identity Theft in the First Degree, a class D felony, 1 count

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 1 count

 

Sentenced:

• 5 years probation 

• $2,500 fine

 

MOHAMED ALSAIDI, D.O.B. 1/2/1973 

Staten Island, N.Y.

 

Convicted:

• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor

• Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor

 

Sentenced:

• 3 years probation