Two charged in scheme to defraud City of Mount Vernon of more than $1 million

WHITE PLAINS – Two men were charged in an unsealed indictment Wednesday with mail fraud and conspiracy for overbilling the City of Mount Vernon by at least an estimated $1.25 million for removal of construction debris and tree waste from city-owned property.

A&D Carting had a contract with the city in late 2001 to remove waste from a city storage yard. Alberto Tranquillo III, an owner and operator of A&D Carting, and Michael Pizzolongo, who helped manage the company’s business, allegedly defrauded Mount Vernon by over-billing.

They allegedly continued to bill the city even after the Westchester Solid Waste Commission denied Tranquillo’s companies a carting license. After A&D Carting was sold to United Waste Services Tranquillo’s companies continued to use trucks they owned to service the Mount Vernon contact and the two men continued to overbill the city.

In total, the city paid out $1.25 million that it should not have.

Pizzolongo, of Scarsdale, was arrested Wednesday. Tranquillo is currently incarcerated.