LEGAL NEWSLINE

NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced criminal charges Thursday against the operators of a Manhattan employment agency that allegedly stole hundreds of dollars in fees from dozens of victims.

Elena Shchukina and Ronald Ulysse allegedly conned unemployed New Yorkers by advertising nonexistent jobs to the public and requiring applicants to pay hundreds of dollars in phony application fees. Shchukina and Ulysse, who operated under multiple business names including Job Force One and United Care Service, allegedly promised immediate job opportunities, benefits and attractive wages and failed to deliver or provide refunds.

Shchukina and Ulysse allegedly conned dozens of job applicants between December 2011 and October. When the alleged scheme was discovered, the defendants would close their doors and open another location.

"These imposters conned dozens of victims by offering them hope that they were on their way to securing a steady job," Schneiderman said. "But rather than helping them find employment, the defendants simply stole their money. By repeatedly making false representations and demanding fees for non-existent jobs and non-existent services, these individuals scammed the unemployed and those looking for better jobs and eroded confidence in lawful organizations dedicated to helping people secure their futures. My office is committed to bringing the perpetrators of such schemes to justice."

Shchukina and Ulysse each face felony fraud and petit larceny charges and could spend up to four years in prison. The defendants were arrested and arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on Wednesday.