I
n a shocking case of real estate malfeasance, a Commack-based agent and her cohorts have been accused of orchestrating a brazen scheme to steal three homes in Queens. Autumn Valeri, 41, was arraigned on multiple counts of grand larceny, identity theft, and falsifying business records, among others, as part of a 47-count indictment.

    Valeri, a licensed real estate associate broker and vice president of Fave Realty Inc., allegedly conspired with Carl Avinger, Lawrence T. Ray, and Torey Guice to forge signatures, submit bogus deed transfers, and sell properties without the rightful owners' knowledge or consent. The scheme unfolded in 2023, with the defendants targeting vulnerable homeowners, including an 82-year-old woman who had her home transferred to Castaneda Ray Family LLC.

    Prosecutors revealed that Valeri and Avinger sold a home on May 2023 for $600,000, wiring $442,000 to a TD Bank account controlled by Kubick Ray Kubick LLC. The purchaser has since filed a civil suit against the victims, claiming legal rights to the property. In another instance, the defendants allegedly forged signatures on a deed transfer, recording the sale of a home in Jamaica Estates from a 76-year-old woman to Shuler Management LLC.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to various charges, including identity theft, forgery, and grand larceny. Valeri, Avinger, and Ray face up to 25 years in prison, while Guice faces up to 15 years. The case is set to return to court on April 29.