New York Criminal Lawyer Blog

Facing foreclosure on a family home or bankruptcy due to ever rising basic costs is a scary option, but help is available. However, one must consider from where the help is coming. A friend accounts what happened when one attorney decided to help himself instead of his clients.

In Chicago one attorney with the help of his wife decided to defraud clients by promising to help with foreclosure and bankruptcy issues. Clients turned to this Chicago attorney for help in their hour of need and were taken for granted, money stolen, and homes foreclosed on even though payments had been made to the attorney. The attorney was using his client’s money to fund his own goals.

An advisor would be one option for representation and given the circumstances this may be the way that the Chicago attorney should precede. The attorney is charged with one count of mail fraud, six counts of bankruptcy fraud and one count of obstruction. His wife is charged with one count of obstruction, two counts of perjury, and one count of bankruptcy fraud. His wife is charged as an accomplice, even though she supposedly did not deal with the clients directly. However, the attorney’s wife lied by completing documents stating that one client had completed a credit counseling course that the client had not completed.

The couple told clients that funds paid would be used to make mortgage payments or to complete Chapter 13 bankruptcy plans, but the funds were instead used for the couple’s own benefit, alleges a charge. It is said that a doctor makes the worst patient and this also holds true for attorneys. This Chicago based attorney should get help from a collegue immediately.

If convicted mail fraud can carry a penalty of up to twenty years with restitution and a 250,000 dollar fine. Bankruptcy fraud also carries a fine of 250,000 dollars and a maximum penalty of five years. Perjury in New York and Westchester only has a sentence of five years maximum in prison. The wife is charged with perjury because she allegedly lied under oath when asked if she had the power to speak on behalf of a client. The couple has been indicted by the Grand Jury, but has not yet gone to trial. Trial dates have not yet been released nor have any discussions of a plea or cooperation on behalf of the couple.

Continue reading "Attorney and Wife Indicted" »

Patron of the arts, real estate executive, and general partner are all terms being thrown around about a man accused of defrauding investors of more than six million dollars, declares a NY Criminal Lawyer.
In Dallas a 68 year old real estate executive is under federal indictment for allegedly committing fraud. This patron of the arts is said to have defrauded his investors out of over six million dollars in conjunction with two separate projects. It has been alleged that the real estate executive made false claims and representations to investors to gain funds. However, it has been said that most of the funds were used for things unrelated to the projects. One project in New Mexico and another in Parkwood Crossing in Fort Worth are those that are involved in the alleged scam. It has not yet been declared what the funds were used for, whether other projects or personal use.
The real estate executive’s attorney finds the indictment surprising as it came the day after a settlement was agreed upon between the real estate executive and the investors. The attorney states that the fact that the investors agreed to enter into a settlement and provide affidavits of non prosecution seems to point toward a sentiment of favor toward the defendant. This type of agreement can be seen as unusual in this type of case. The lawsuit that was just settled out of court was not exclusive to the Parkwood Crossing or New Mexico projects though they were included in the overall settlement.
It can be argued by any New York Criminal Lawyer, just as it was argued by the defendant’s lawyer that all of these properties lost value due to the worldwide recession, not because of mishandling of funds. A continuing economic recession could not have been predicted by the real estate executive, nor is real estate always a sound investment in an uncertain economy.
Prosecution contends that the executive made false representations to investors on behalf of two large developments. However prosecution has not yet released how the investors were defrauded or where the money was used. This kind of fraud is not uncommon in areas like New York and Westchester County.
This case may not soon end as it has been reported that the defendant has fled the country. This seems to have occurred shortly after the fall of his real estate business in 2009. The defendant is said to be living in Brazil. Prior to the alleged incidence the executive and his wife were major supporters of the Dallas Arts world, including the Opera and Performing Arts Center.

Continue reading "Indictment of Arts Patron" »

District Judge Pat Priest of San Antonio sentenced former U.S. Majority Leader Tom DeLay to three years in jail. He was charged with conspiring to launder corporate money into 2002 political donations for several candidates running for election, a New York Criminal Lawyer was told.

He will also serve 10 years on probation for money laundering charges. Previously, DeLay had been sentenced to five years in prison for the charges, but the charges were reduced to 10 years of probation by Judge Priest.

Judge Priest said he agreed with the November 2010 guilty verdict the jury brought back after the trial. He believes DeLay conspired to break the law and that he should be held responsible for what he did. DeLay asked that Judge Priest sentence him instead of the jury who said he was guilty. He would not have received such lenient treatment in the courts of Staten Island and Westchester County.

He decided to have Judge Priest sentence him to prevent the jury from making an example of him. “Maybe we can get it before people who understand the law,” DeLay said to a NY Criminal Lawyer about the jury.

DeLay was accused of laundering $190,000 of corporate money into the Republication National Committee. The money went to the political efforts of seven Texas Republication candidates.

He faced 99 years in jail and up to $200,000 in fines before the judge sentenced him. DeLay is a first time offender giving him the ability of probation. He was taken into custody after hearing the judge’s decision. His lawyer is expected to appear the decision. DeLay will most likely post an appeals bond.

Continue reading "DeLay sentenced for three years for laundering money" »