Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced that Christopher Gagg (DOB 01/29/77) of 12 Pondview Drive, East Patchogue, New York has been arrested and arraigned for bilking a New City physician out of thousands of dollars in a home mortgage scam.

Gagg is charged with: • One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class “D” Felony

An extensive investigation by the Rockland County Special Investigations Unit revealed that the victim was approached by Gagg with an offer to refinance his home through the defendant. After agreeing to refinance, the doctor wired over $8,000 to the defendant between April and July, 2008, for what the doctor believed were fees associated with the mortgage transaction. Gagg was neither licensed to broker mortgages, nor was he working with or for a mortgage broker. No mortgage application was made, and the defendant simply kept the victim’s money. The defendant is accused of stealing the money under false pretenses.

Gagg was arrested today and arraigned in the Clarkstown Justice Court before the Honorable Judge Craig Johns. The defendant was released on $1,300 bail.

He is scheduled to return to court on January 20th, 2010.