March 12, 1999

FORMER TIME WARNER EMPLOYEE CHARGED WITH THEFT OF CABLE SERVICES

WORTH UP TO $500,000

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced today the arrest of a former Time Warner construction coordinator on charges of stealing up to $500,000 from the company by giving "free" cable service to approximately 270 unsuspecting homeowners from whom he collected and pocketed $250 each.

District Attorney Brown said, "According to the allegations, the defendant's scheme, which resulted in significant losses to Time Warner, was discovered when a homeowner contacted the company to complain that he had received a bill when he had already paid the defendant for his cable service. Time Warner security personnel immediately commenced an investigation and it discovered that over time the defendant had opened at least 270 so-called right of way or free accounts dispensing cable services valued at up to $500,000 depending on the type of service.

District Attorney Brown identified the defendant as Eyston Perez, 41, of 61 Meadowbrook Drive, Brentwood, Long Island. He had been an employee of Time Warner for twelve years at the time the alleged scheme was uncovered in August. He is charged with grand larceny, falsifying business records and scheme to defraud. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of grand larceny.

According to District Attorney Brown, the defendant, in his position as a construction coordinator, was responsible for obtaining permission from individual property owners to install whatever equipment was necessary on their property to supply cable service to their neighborhood. In his position he had the authority, in special cases, to grant free cable service to the property owner in return for permission to install the needed equipment. It is alleged, however, that from January 1, 1996 to August 14, 1998, the defendant used his authority to grant free cable service to 270 people living in apartment buildings and other residences from whom the company received no benefit, charging each customer $250 and, allegedly, pocketing the cash.

The defendant was arrested yesterday by Det. Henry Chan of the Queens District Attorney's Office Squad which is under the supervision of Captain Harold J. Knorr and Lt. Kenneth Rossello.

District Attorney Brown commended Time Warner for their cooperation and assistance.

Assistant District Attorney Linda LaGreca of District Attorney Brown's Economic Crime Unit which is under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michael J. Mansfield and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Robert D. Alexander, is in charge of the case.

It should be noted that an arrest is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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