Two New York Men Convicted Of Defrauding Home Depot Through Elaborate ‘Double-Dipping’ Scheme

TRENTON, N.J. – Two Brooklyn, New York, men were convicted today of defrauding Home Depot out of more than $250,000 through an elaborate “double-dipping” scheme that they committed at various Home Depot locations throughout the United States, including New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Renauld Medard, 74, and Wesly Dieudonne, 30, were convicted on all counts of an indictment charging each defendant with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud. They were convicted following a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson in Trenton federal court. The jury deliberated for four hours before returning the verdict.

According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:

As part of the scheme, Medard and Dieudonne purchased various items from Home Depot locations in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Connecticut and Pennsylvania using cash, credit cards or store credit. Medard and Dieudonne also went to Home Depot stores and compiled identical sets of goods as listed in receipts from previous purchases. Under the guise that they had forgotten to purchase an item, usually an inexpensive one, they used receipts from previous purchases to deceive cashiers into believing that the new sets of goods had already been bought.

Medard and Dieudonne also went to Home Depot to return items stolen in the scheme. In some instances, they presented a receipt in order to effectuate the return. In other instances, they obtained a refund for store credit without presenting a receipt. From July 2009 through November 2011, Medard and Dieudonne fraudulently obtained Home Depot store credit and refunds totaling over $250,000.

The counts of wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for July 30, 2015.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the U.S. Secret Service, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Carl Agnelli, for the investigation leading to today’s verdict.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David M. Eskew and Andrew D. Kogan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.