RVC collection agency president charged with grand larceny

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The president of a Rockville Centre-based collection agency was arrested on Wednesday and charged with grand larceny for allegedly stealing more than $1.6 million from a Bronx hospital.

Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said that Norman Alpren, 71, a Long Beach resident and president of MBI Associates Inc. on Merrick Road, was charged with one count of first-degree grand larceny. Bail was set at $100,000 bond or $50,000 cash for Alpren, who faces 8 to 25 years in prison if convicted.

MBI Associates is a collection agency that is used by hospitals to recover delinquent fees.

According to the district attorney’s office, MBI allegedly failed to remit payment to St. Barnabas Hospital in the amount of just over $1.6 million from Nov. 25, 2012, to Feb. 18, 2015. The money collected by MBI was for hospital services that had been rendered to its patients. Instead of releasing the money to St. Barnabas, Alpren used it to operate his business.

“The defendant was a trusted businessman who handled accounts for numerous clients, but he allegedly stole more than $1.6 million from a hospital to keep his company afloat,” Singas said. “Hospitals are an integral part of our economy and should not have to worry about contractors lining their pockets with ill-gotten gains.”

The hospital became aware that funds had been diverted and ended their business relationship with MBI in September 2014. MBI continued to receive funds belonging to the hospital for several months after the business relationship ended because certain collection efforts were already under way by MBI. That money was never returned.

Singas’s office received the case in April 2015 after efforts had been made by St. Barnabas to collect what was owed by MBI. Alpren’s arrest followed a 23-month investigation.

Alpren is represented by Robert Abiuso of the Sahn Ward Coschignano law firm in Uniondale. Abiuso said that Alpren surrendered to authorities on Wednesday and is confident that his client will be absolved of the charge.

“The hospital at issue has collected upwards of $13 million as a result of Mr. Alpren’s efforts over a four-year period,” said Abiuso. “Mr. Alpren is a pillar of his community, involved in many civic organizations too numerous to mention. We fully expect that Mr. Aplren will be vindicated at trial.”

Alpren was due back in court on Friday.