A Nassau county man was indicted last Friday on charges that he promised to sell people government-seized cars at a reduced price, while posing as a captain of the New York City Fire Department near John F. Kennedy International Airport, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.

Maurice Knight was indicted on charges of third-degree grand larceny, second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, first-degree scheme to defraud and second-degree criminal impersonation. He faces life in prison if convicted of all charges.

“The New York City Fire Department is respected and admired by both fellow firefighters and the general public, especially for its work in the days following September Eleventh,” Brown said in a written statement announcing the indictment. “As such, the defendant is accused of trading on that highly regarded reputation by posing as a fire captain to gain the trust of individuals and then scam them by offering them unbelievable deals on vehicles seized by the City. ”

The District Attorney’s Office alleges that Knight, posing as an FDNY captain, approached a woman last April at Thrifty Rent-A-Car located at 122-02 South Conduit Ave. by JFK Airport, and told her he could sell her a car for $2,000 to $3,000.

Knight allegedly asked the woman to pay him $1,000 upfront and wait 30 days for the car to be delivered. He then allegedly told the woman she could have a vehicle of her choosing for free if she helped him sell other vehicles.

The woman allegedly collected approximately $17,000 for Knight.

The woman’s sister, who had been introduced to Knight, allegedly conducted an internet search on him and found out he had previously been arrested for a similar scam.

Knight was arrested on May 25, 2013, while entering his vehicle, which allegedly contained numerous fake ID’s identifying him as an FDNY and police official.

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