This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
05/27/2015 12:00 AMThe East Haven Zoning Enforcement officer who was arrested by the FBI on Wednesday morning has been charged with extorting money from a resident.
Frank Biancur, Jr., 40 of West Haven, was taken into federal custody and appeared in New Haven Federal Court. He was released on a $20,000 bond.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's office, an East Haven resident contacted the East Haven Police Department and the FBI with information that he/she had been extorted by Biancur since October 2012 and had made cash payments to Biancur.
The complaint alleges that on May 19, 2015, Biancur called the victim and informed the victim thatn an inspection needed to be performed on an addition to the victim's residence.
On May 21, 2015, the victim engaged in a consensually-recorded meeting with Biancur at Biancur's office in the East Haven Town Hall. During the meeting, the victim gave Biancur $200 in cash, which Biancur put in his pocket.
The complaint charges Biancur with one count of theft of honest services mail fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr., released a statement on Wednesday morning following Biancur's arrest noting that the town would reserve comment to "avoid prejudicing any investigation that may presently be underway."
"As we receive additional information throughout the day, I will be reviewing it with the Police Chief and my staff and, as appropriate, passing it on to the media and the public," Maturo said.