Cops: Cocaine addict used con to feed his habit

Police say they have captured a con artist who preyed on people?s generosity to feed his cocaine habit. According to police, John Corbett admitted to scamming 20 to 30 businesses all over Nassau County

News 12 Staff

Jan 29, 2008, 11:11 PM

Updated 6,175 days ago

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Police say they have captured a con artist who preyed on people?s generosity to feed his cocaine habit.
According to police, John Corbett admitted to scamming 20 to 30 businesses all over Nassau County since December. Police say Corbett would place large food orders for supposed fundraisers, then ask the delis and pizzerias for a donation.
Investigators say Corbett did his research because he told business owners he was raising money for churches in their communities. They say Corbett used to be a basketball coach for the Catholic Youth League, which made him very familiar with all the churches in the area.
St. Brigid's Roman Catholic Church in Westbury got a call from a deli owner believed to be a victim of Corbett's scam. They then figured out Corbett?s alleged activities and alerted police.
Police say Corbett is an unemployed cocaine addict and used the proceeds of his con to feed his habit. Even though Corbett has admitted to pulling the scam almost 30 times, investigators say there could be more victims out there.