Eastside man pleads guilty to defrauding elderly woman of more than $83,000

CONCORD - An East Rochester man pleaded guilty in federal court to defrauding an elderly victim of more than $83,000, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced on Wednesday.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Craig Corriveau, 51, knew the elderly victim maintained a checking and savings account and had at least two credit cards. He was also aware that the victim had physical limitations.

Between March 2019 and July 2021, Corriveau used the victim's credit cards to make unauthorized purchases totaling at least $83,628.69. He spent over $30,000 alone at a firearms store to purchase firearms and ammunition. Corriveau also used the victim's credit cards to purchase goods from retailers such as Dick's Sporting Goods, Target, Home Depot, Bob's Discount Furniture, Wayfair, Etsy, and Amazon.

Records from those companies showed the name, delivery address, e-mail address, and phone number associated with the purchases belonged to Corriveau. During a search of Corriveau's home, police found some of the goods Corriveau bought using the victim's credit cards.

To facilitate the scheme, Corriveau used the victim's personal identifying information, including the victim's Social Security number, maiden name, and date of birth, to add himself as an authorized user on the victim's credit card account. Corriveau had a credit card in his name but under the victim's account mailed to his address. Corriveau was able to access the victim's bank accounts and used the victim's funds to make payments on his credit card purchases.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 29.

The case was investigated by the Rochester Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen.