Personal Assistant Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Massive Fraud Scheme Targeting Her Elderly Employers

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Catalina Corona was sentenced by United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis to 48 months' imprisonment for wire fraud in connection with a long running scheme to defraud her elderly employers. As part of her sentence, Corona was also ordered to pay $9.6 million in forfeiture. Corona pleaded guilty to the charge in April 2026.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.

"Today's sentence holds the defendant accountable for a calculated scheme to steal nearly $10 million from her elderly employers who had entrusted her with their financial affairs for many years," stated United States Attorney Nocella. "With complete control over the victims' accounts, the defendant was able to siphon large amounts of money at will, and on a breathtaking scale. Our Office will vigorously prosecute those who exploit vulnerable elderly victims for personal gain."

"Catalina Corona will face justice for her calculated and callus fraud scheme. She swindled nearly $10 million from the elderly couple she was entrusted to assist. Let this be a warning to others that think they may fly under the radar with similar schemes, the FBI will follow the money, and criminals will be found," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

According to court filings and statements in court, Corona began her professional relationship with Victim-1 in the early 2000s when she served as a secretary for Victim-1's company. After Victim-1 passed away in May 2022, Corona continued to work as a personal assistant for Victim-1's wife, Victim-2 (collectively, the "Victims"). While working as a personal assistant to the Victims, Corona repeatedly deposited hundreds of checks written out to cash-made payable to herself-from the Victims' bank accounts without their knowledge or consent.

In total, Corona stole nearly $10 million, which she used to pay her credit card bills and to purchase luxury items. Specifically, the investigation revealed that Corona had used approximately $1,117,000 of stolen funds to purchase merchandise at Louis Vuitton, approximately $125,500 to purchase merchandise from Cartier, nearly $300,000 in stolen funds to purchase merchandise at Gucci, and approximately $305,000 in stolen funds to purchase merchandise from Apple.

Corona concealed the whereabouts of the high-end luxury items purchased with the stolen funds by renting out two storage units. Law enforcement obtained search warrants for the defendant's residence and the two storage units, and estimated that there were over 300 luxury items stashed in the units.

The government's case is being handled by the Office's General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca M. Urquiola is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

CATALINA CORONA
Age: 62
Corona, Queens

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-78 (NGG)