SCHENECTADY — A Schenectady businessman serving prison time for his role in a Mafia-linked cocaine ring and his wife pleaded guilty last month in a separate criminal case that accused them of exploiting pandemic-related government programs and committing insurance fraud .
Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney confirmed Jeffrey Civitello Sr., the owner of Focus Construction in Schenectady, and his wife, Patricia Civitello, pleaded guilty Feb. 14 to the charges in a 143-count indictment that accuses them of fraud, theft, tax crimes and scores of counts of both falsifying business records and filing false documents.
Carney said the couple pleaded guilty without a plea offer from his office. Judge Matthew Sypniewski scheduled the sentencing for May 2…