N.Y. Junkyard Owner Charged in Illegal Alien Scam

A New York junkyard owner has been charged with scheming to sell vehicles to illegal aliens and then insuring the vehicles through his own firm’s garage policy.

Officials said 61-year-old William Hrazanek of Fleischmanns, N.Y. provided insurance as well as registrations for about 40 vehicles. Under state law, only U.S. citizens or legal residents may apply for driver’s licenses and applicants must have valid Social Security cards. Investigators said none of the individuals had Social Security cards.

According to investigators, Hrazanek may have collected as much as $30,000 a year from the insurance and registration sales.

The alleged scam occurred during a four-year period. Hrazanek’s insurance company, American Transit Insurance, calculated its premium loss for 40 vehicles over that span of time at $522,823.

Hrazanek faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.