Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 44-year-old Vern Lockridge of Buffalo has been sentenced by Erie County Court Judge James F. Bargnesi to 1 year in jail and restitution of $32,550 payable to the Boys and Girls Club of Western New York.

While operating under the business Close2daedge Technology, Inc., the defendant admitted stealing $32,550 from the Boys and Girls Club of Western New York by failing to supply 42 laptops that had been purchased with money awarded to the organization through a state grant.

Lockridge pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a “D” felony, in March 2019. The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest charge in the indictment against him. As part of his plea, the defendant signed a Confession of Judgment for the full amount.

DA Flynn commends Det. Sgt. John McGrath of the Buffalo Police Department for his work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Candace Vogel, Chief of the DA’s Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Bureau.