United States v. Sean Novis et al.

United States v. Sean Novis et al.

20-CR-335 (JMA) (E.D.N.Y)

Update: Both Defendants were sentenced on August 2, 2023. 

Sean Novis was sentenced to 90 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $60 million in forfeiture and $500,000 in criminal fines.  Novis was also sentenced to 2 years of supervised release following his incarceration.  Novis will begin his sentence on October 16, 2023. 

Gary Denkberg was sentenced to  66 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $19 million in forfeiture and $250,000 in criminal fines.  Denkberg was also sentenced to 2 years of supervised release following his incarceration.  Denkberg will begin his sentence on October 27, 2023. 

The sentences were imposed by the Hon. Joan M. Azrack of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Update: Both sentencing hearings have been scheduled. 

• Sean Novis is scheduled to be sentenced on August 2, 2023, at 1:30 p.m., by District Judge Joan M. Azrack at the United States Courthouse, 100 Federal Plaza, Central Islip, New York, 11722. 
• Gary Denkberg is also scheduled to be sentenced on August 2, 2023, at 2:15 p.m., by District Judge Joan M. Azrack, at the United States Courthouse, 100 Federal Plaza, Central Islip, New York, 11722

On May 17, 2022, a jury in Central Islip, New York convicted Sean Novis and Gary Denkberg of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, fraudulent use of fictitious names and aiding and abetting other mail fraud schemes. 

The defendants owned and operated a fraudulent mass mailing scheme that deceived thousands of victims – many of them elderly or vulnerable – into paying more than 92 million dollars.  Evidence presented at trial showed that, from 2003 to 2016, Novis and Denkberg mailed millions of fraudulent prize notices that falsely informed consumers they had won a large cash prize and would receive the prize if they paid a fee, usually between 25 and 40 dollars.  Victims who paid the fee, however, did not receive the promised cash prize.  Instead, the defendants sent victims more fake prize notices.  The defendants’ criminal conduct ceased in September 2016, when their operation was shut down by the United States Department of Justice Consumer Protection Branch working with its law enforcement partners at the United States Postal Inspection Service.    

The United States has begun to provide restitution to victims of the Defendants’ fraudulent scheme.  These funds derive from the Consumer Data Victim Compensation Fund, which is described in greater deal here.  Marketing Company Agrees to Pay $150 Million for Facilitating Elder Fraud Schemes

For a copy of the superseding indictment, please

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If you are a victim of an offense in this case, you may contact Victim Witness Coordinator Lisa Foster to help you exercise your rights. 

For information or assistance, please contact:

Lisa Foster

Victim Witness Coordinator

United States Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of New York

(718) 254-6256

Under the “Justice for All Act of 2004,” codified at 18 U.S.C. §3771, a crime victim has specified rights.  More information regarding such rights can be found at 18 U.S.C. §3771.