Benkert
KINGSTON – A 52-year-old Hurley man, who District Attorney Holley
Carnright called a “con man,” was sentenced in Ulster County
Court to 60 days in the county jail, five years of probation and ordered
to pay restitution of $224,000 to be distributed between six victims within
the first two years of probation. John Benkert was also ordered to complete
150 more hours of community service.
During his guilty plea in April of last year, Benkert admitted to stealing
the money from local businessmen and friends using fraudulent pretenses.
He was arrested following a long-term investigation by State Police and
the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, which revealed his
scheme involved the alleged development of a mall in Connecticut.
Based on promises of a quick reimbursement with substantial interest,
investors lent him funds at a time when Benkert had no intention or financial
capability of repaying the advances.
At Benkert’s sentencing, the Ulster County Probation Department
reported that he was ordered to serve 480 hours of community service before
the sentencing and that he tried to con the probation department and the
court by lying about the hours of community service he had performed.
He admitted to that in court. He also failed to pay $149,000 of restitution,
which he had been ordered to pay before his April 26 sentencing.
“Plain and simple, Benkert is a con man. We have no reasonable expectation
that he will pay the restitution ordered by the court,” said Carnright.
“Hopefully, if that prediction becomes a reality, Benkert will be
resentencing to state prison.”
