Defendant Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering in Connection with Publishers Clearing House Scam

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ALBANY, NY- The Albany County District Attorney announced today that HOPETON LABEACH, 55, of White Plains, pleaded guilty to (1) Count of Money Laundering the Fourth Degree, a Class E Felony, before the Honorable Stephen Herrick in Albany County Court this afternoon.

An investigation by the Bethlehem Police Department revealed that the defendant contacted an 89 year old victim and told her that she won a monetary prize through Publishers Clearing House but in order to collect her prize she needed to send the defendant money orders. The victim sent multiple money orders to the defendant, which totaled over $7,900.

HOPETON faces 1 to 3 years in State Prison when sentenced on January 8, 2014.

Assistant District Attorney Jessica Blain-Lewis of the Financial Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution of this case.