Community Corner
E. Northport Man Convicted in NYC School Scam
Willard "Ross'' Lanham convicted of skimming $1.7 million from the New York City Department of Education on Monday.
An East Northport man was convicted of skimming $1.7 million from the New York City Department of Education on Monday, according to media reports.
A Manhattan jury found Willard “Ross’’ Lanham guilty on four counts of theft and fraud stemming from a consultant deal he had to connect the city school system to the Internet, dubbed “Project Connect,” the New York Post reported.
Lanham faces up to 70 years in prison for stealing from a federally-funded program and mail fraud.
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The Post also reported that the money was used to fund an exorbitant lifestyle, which included a fleet of cars, Super Bowl tickets and a custom-built home, which is now on the market for $699,000.
Lanham admitted he is going through divorce from estranged wife, Laura Lanham, who made tabloid headlines of her own by writing about sex for the blog, “The Cougar Life Diaries.”
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The couple was also named in a complaint last month by the Town of Huntington over a in East Northport.
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