DA says Manhattan housing specialist stole thousands from people in homeless shelter

DA says Manhattan housing specialist stole thousands from people in homeless shelter

The indictment charges the housing specialist with several crimes, including identity theft. [ more › ]

D.A. Bragg Announces Indictment Of Homeless Shelter Employee For Stealing Thousands From Residents – Manhattan District Attorney’s Office

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of DAVID AGUERO, 24, for allegedly defrauding multiple homeless shelter residents in an apartment voucher and credit card theft scheme between March and June 2026. AGUERO is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree, and Identity Theft in the First Degree, among other charges. [1] “Shelter residents trusted David Aguero, a housing specialist, to help them secure stable places to live. As alleged, Aguero broke their trust and stole thousands of dollars from them,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Those who take advantage of New Yorkers desperate for homes in the midst of our housing crisis will be held accountable. This is an ongoing investigation. If you or someone you know may be a victim, please call us at 212-335-3600, regardless of your immigration status.” As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record, between March 16, 2026, and June 11, 2026, AGUERO stole more than $4,000 from New York City shelter residents. AGUERO worked as a housing specialist in a Manhattan homeless shelter.  Abusing his position, AGUERO told the residents, who had obtained City-issued housing vouchers, that they needed to pay him directly to secure an apartment. AGUERO then took thousands of dollars in cash or electronic transfers from these New Yorkers. AGUERO also used personally identifiable information that he obtained from one of these victims to open—and spend heavily on—two credit cards in the victim’s name.  Assistant D.A. Dennis Dillon (Financial Frauds Bureau) is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Luis Morales (Chief of the Immigrant Affairs Unit), Kofi Sansculotte (Chief of the Financial Frauds Bureau) and Judy Salwen (Deputy Chief of the Investigation Division) and Executive Assistant D.A. Jodie Kane (Chief of the Investigation Division).  Investigative Analyst Emely Salazar Perez and Paralegal Selena Hernandez of the Financial Frauds Bureau assisted with the investigation, as did Assistant D.A. Jack Ralph.  D.A. Bragg thanked the New York City Department of Investigation, particularly Daniel Malvey and Angie Garcia, and the NYPD, particularly Detective Ramon Gutierrez and Officer William Clune of the 24th Precinct Detective Squad. Defendant Information: DAVID AGUERO Bronx, NY Charged: Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree, a class D felony, one count Identity Theft in the First Degree, a class D felony, two counts Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony, one count Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, one count Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, one count ### [1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.