Two charged with September 11 fraud

Two US men are accused of cheating the US government and private charities out of €350,000 claiming their offices were destroyed in the World Trade Centre attack – even though they moved out two years earlier.

Alexander Koltovskoy, 36, and Vincent Pizzi III, had leased property in one of the towers, but they left in 1999.

They pleaded not guilty to charges of stealing from seven US government agencies and charities by applying for September 11 aid they did not deserve.

If convicted, they face up to five years in prison.