A Long Island businessman betrayed his daughter – stealing her identity and wrecking her life by taking out nearly $100,000 in phony loans, authorities said.
Jacob Armon’s scheme was uncovered after his daughter, Jesse, 22, found her credit a shambles last July and reported him to cops, sources said.
Armon, 57, was arrested Wednesday at his $2.8 million Oyster Bay Cove mansion, which sources say is in foreclosure, and arraigned yesterday on charges of grand larceny and ID theft.
“I guess he just figured this would be a great way to make money for himself,” Nassau County Police Detective Sgt. Thomas Reilly said. Armon has portrayed himself as a major attorney and businessman, donating cash to Rudy Giuliani’s campaigns, handing over six-figure sums to hospitals, and identifying himself as the head of a defense electronics company called Imrex.
Over the years, however, liens have been taken out against him totaling nearly $20 million.
The ID theft allegedly started in September 2005, when Armon took out a $42,918 loan in his daughter’s name and put it in a Bank of America account. In June 2006, he took out a $50,000 loan in her name, officials said.
He also allegedly opened credit-card accounts in Jesse’s name.
Armon was freed yesterday on $7,500 cash bail. Reached by cellphone, he said, “No comment.” His attorney declined comment.