A brother and sister admit they stole $90,000 from New York State. The money was meant to help people struggling to pay rent during COVID.
Shaleen Mahtani, 56, and Denesh Melwani, 58, pleaded guilty in Albany County Court to grand larceny.
Prosecutors say the pair bought a Brooklyn condo for $1.6 million in 2018.
Three years later, prosecutors say they falsely claimed Melwani was Mahtani’s tenant and owed back rent. Then they shared the cash the state gave them.
Melwani’s sentencing is set for April, while Mahtani is due to be sentenced in August.