Yonkers Man Accused Of Defrauding Chappaqua Schools

CHAPPAQUA, NY — A Yonkers man was accused of defrauding the Chappaqua school district of more than $180,000.

Ricardo Jimenez, 56, of Yonkers, was indicted on charges related to a bribery, kickback and money laundering scheme aimed at the Chappaqua Central School District, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. said Monday.

Jimenez was arraigned in Westchester County Court on the following charges:

• First-degree corrupting the government, a felony
• Second-degree bribery, a felony
• Second-degree rewarding official misconduct, a felony
• Two counts of fourth-degree money laundering, felonies
• Fourth-degree conspiracy, a felony

After the hearing, Jimenez was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to return to court Nov. 18.

Prosectors said that, between November 2014 and August 2017, Jimenez and an employee of the Chappaqua school district conspired to award district projects to Jimenez's own company: RJ Summit Services Inc.

As part of the scheme, authorities said Jimenez fraudulently billed the school district for work actually performed by codefendant Jorge Barreiros and other district staff members, directed by Barreiros.

In turn, Barreiros ensured district work was awarded to RJ Summit and approved Jimenez's invoices.

Then, authorities said, when the school district paid the bills, Jimenez kicked back portions of the payments to Barreiros, by paying him in case and checks made out from another company.

In total, Jimenez wrongfully obtained more than $180,000 from the Chappaqua school district.

Barreiros of Cortlandt Manor pleaded guilty in December to second-degree corrupting the government and third-degree bribe receiving, felonies. His sentence is still pending.

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