Landlord Arrested for Forging Cortlandt Judge’s Signature
State Police in Cortlandt arrested Joseph Bene, 66, of Mahopac, Tuesday after receiving a complaint from the Town of Cortlandt Court that an eviction notice, bearing Judge Daniel McCarthy’s forged signature, was given to them by a Cortlandt resident.
The investigation revealed that Bene had previously appeared in Cortlandt Court in an attempt to obtain a Warrant of Eviction in order to have a tenant evicted.
After being advised by McCarthy that he did not follow the proper procedures and was denied the document, Bene allegedly decided to fraudulently make up his own document and forge McCarthy’s signature.
The eviction notice was then served on the tenant, who became suspicious of its authenticity and brought it to the court for verification.
Due to the conflict of interest with the Town of Cortlandt Justice Court, Bene was charged with Forgery-2nd and Identity Theft-1st (both felonies) and arraigned in Town of Putnam Valley Justice Court. He was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Carmel Justice Court on January 28.
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