Joseph Simonelli

Police today are investigating the death of a Riverhead man who was facing federal criminal charges stemming from the theft of more than $10 million from his family’s contracting business.

Joseph Simonelli, accused by federal prosecutors of stealing more than $10 million from a family business, is released on bond but confined to his home, his defense attorney said today.

An owner of Serendipity Farm on Mill Road, confessed to stealing $10 million from his family's HVAC contracting company, federal prosecutors said. He was ordered held without bail “as a danger to the community” after a federal magistrate heard testimony of threats against family members.