Endicott Basketball School Scammers Ordered to Pay $380,000

The operators of an Endicott-based high school basketball academy have been directed to pay back 27 families who were defrauded by the operation.

Chris Bevin and Hazel Ward ran AAUCONNECT from the old Henry B. Endicott School on Jackson Avenue.

A state supreme court judge has ordered Bevin and Ward to pay nearly $380,000 in restitution and penalties.

New York state Attorney General Letitia James said dozens of families were duped by the owners of AAUCONNECT.

A classroom used by AAUCONNECT at the former Henry B. Endicott School. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The business falsely billed itself as a "premier basketball training program" but never provided the training, housing and education it had promised.

James said $239,000 is to be paid to the 27 families already identified as having lost money in the scheme.

Others who believe they were ripped off may submit claims by December 9 to seek restitution.

People may make complaints about AAUCONNECT by calling the attorney general's Binghamton office at (607) 251-2764.

An AAUCONNECT office in Endicott in September 2018. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 772-8400 extension 233.

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Filed Under: AAUCONNECT, Endicott, fraud, Letitia James, New York State Attorney General

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