D.A. Bragg: Man Indicted For Phony $343K Levi’s Investment Scheme

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of MICHAEL D'ANTONI, 68, for allegedly running an illusory investment scheme and stealing $343,200 from three New Yorkers: two retirees and a recently widowed woman raising her 10-year-old grandson. D'ANTONI allegedly sought investments in a phony, offshore Levi's manufacturing operation, never paid the promised interest, and never returned the investments. D'ANTONI is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with two counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree.^[1]

"Michael D'Antoni allegedly scammed three older New Yorkers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by lying about an investment opportunity," said District Attorney Bragg. "We allege he took advantage of them after building rapports and gaining their trust. We urge New Yorkers to exercise caution when making investments, and to only do so through trusted institutions and licensed brokers. If you are a victim of an investment scam, please call us at 212-335-8900. If you are an older New Yorker who has been scammed, you can also call 212-335-9007."

As alleged in court documents and according to statements made on the record, D'ANTONI stole from three people by soliciting investments to have Levi's jeans manufactured in Medellin, Colombia, and shipped to the United States where he would sell them at a profit.

As alleged, D'ANTONI was hired in summer 2021 by the first victim's home insurance company to be an estimator and to oversee construction in his home, which had suffered water damage. D'ANTONI built a rapport with man, who had recently retired. In spring 2023, D'ANTONI told the man would receive 20% interest compounded for a three-month term, plus the return of his principal, if he invested in the defendant's plan. Based on these representations, the man gave D'ANTONI $100,000 in July 2023.

As further alleged, D'ANTONI similarly met the second victim when he was hired to oversee construction of her family home, which had suffered fire damage, in December 2023. He built a rapport with the woman, who had recently suffered the loss of her mother, partner, and daughter and was raising her grandson on her own. D'ANTONI told the woman she would receive 5% interest compounded for a three-month term, plus the return of her principal, if she invested in the defendant's plan. Based on these representations, she gave D'ANTONI $225,000 in five installments between February and June of 2024.

Finally, as alleged, D'ANTONI met the third victim in Rome, Italy, when the woman - whose husband died two months earlier - was on vacation. D'ANTONI told the woman she would receive 4% interest compounded for a three-month term, plus the return of her principal, if she invested in the defendant's plan. Based on these representations, she gave D'ANTONI $18,200 in two installments between December 2024 and March 2025.

None of the victims received interest payments or the return of their principal. Instead, D'ANTONI made cash withdrawals and also spent the money on travel, hotels, restaurants, life insurance and credit card payments, luxury goods, and more.

Assistant D.A. Vimi Bhatia (Deputy Chief of the Elder Abuse Unit) is handling the case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Shannon Lucey (Deputy Chief of the Special Victims Division) and Executive Assistant D.A. Justin McNabney (Chief of the Special Victims Division). Investigator Briggitte Lawell, under the supervision of Lieutenant Diana Keam of the Investigation Bureau, Principal Financial Investigator Chris Fenty, under the supervision of Chief Robert Demarest and Deputy Chief Irene Serrapica of the Forensic Accounting and Financial Investigations Bureau, and Investigative Analyst Emely Salazar Perez of the Financial Frauds Bureau provided valuable assistance to the team.

###

[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.