2 plead not guilty in alleged Boston Marathon scam

Boston brothers plead not guilty to trying to defraud Marathon victims' fund of $2M

BOSTON (AP) -- Two brothers have pleaded not guilty to making a false $2 million claim to the Boston Marathon bombing victims' fund for their long-dead aunt.

Twenty-two-year-old Branden Mattier and 27-year-old Domunique Grice, both of Boston, were arraigned Wednesday on charges of conspiracy to commit larceny, attempt to commit larceny and identity fraud. Mattier was held on $20,000 bail. Grice was released on personal recognizance and ordered to surrender his passport and report weekly to probation officials.

Mattier was arrested July 2 when he allegedly accepted a fake check from an undercover state trooper. Grice was charged last month. Prosecutors say the brothers planned to test drive a new Mercedes-Benz the day they got the check.

State police say Mattier told them he intended to use the money to help people.