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A brother and sister have admitted to stealing $90,000 from New York State in funds intended to help residents struggling to pay rent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shaleen Mahtani, 56, and Denesh Melwani, 58, pleaded guilty to grand larceny in Albany County Court.
Prosecutors said the siblings purchased a $1.6 million condominium in Brooklyn in 2018. In 2021, they allegedly submitted false claims stating that Melwani was Mahtani’s tenant and behind on rent payments. Authorities say they then split the rent relief funds issued by the state.
Melwani is scheduled to be sentenced in April, while Mahtani is expected to be sentenced in August.
