Grand Larceny Charges Filed Against Attorney Kenneth Carnesi

Grand larceny charges have been filed against attorney Kenneth B. Carnesi, 53, with a last known address on Wyatt Road in Garden City, according to Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon. Carnesi is accused of stealing clients' funds amounting to $247,102.81.

The defendant has been charged with two counts of grand larceny in the second degree, which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison; one count of grand larceny in the third degree; and one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree.

Count 1 (second-degree grand larceny) alleges that Carnesi stole $148,562.68 from a client between Aug. 5, 2002 and Dec. 14, 2002. The stolen money had been held in escrow in regard to two separate real estate transactions.

Count 2 (second-degree grand larceny) alleges that Carnesi stole $51,090.13 from another client, between Nov. 3, 2003 and Nov. 6, 2004 in connection with various legal matters.

Count 3 (third-degree grand larceny) alleges Carnesi stole $45,450 from other clients, between April 11, 2003 and Sept. 14, 2004. The stolen funds had been held in escrow in a mortgage foreclosure action.

Count 4 (fourth-degree grand larceny) alleges Carnesi stole $2,000 from another client, between March 2, 2004 and Sept. 14, 2004 in regard to false representations that Carnesi made to his client concerning the progress of a legal matter.

Carnesi was disbarred on the court's acceptance of his resignation as an attorney on Nov. 29, 2004. He was prosecuted federally on money laundering charges on which he was sentenced Oct. 14, 2005. He is presently housed at the Queens Private Correctional Facility.

Carnesi was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead. The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.