May 29, 2013
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on May 28, 2013 released the following press release:
“WASHINGTON—The former president and CEO and the former vice president of corporate finance of China North East Petroleum Holdings Limited (CNEP), an oil and gas company whose stock is traded in the United States, have been charged with defrauding investors in connection with public offerings of stock.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Ronald C. Machen, Jr.; Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos of the FBI’s New York Field Office; and Chief Richard Weber of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement.
Wang Hongjun, 41, and Chao Jiang, 32, both Chinese citizens residing in California and New York, respectively, were indicted on May 23, 2013, with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and securities fraud and four counts of securities fraud, which each carry a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. Jiang is also charged with two counts of false statements to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) during sworn testimony, which each carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The indictment was made public today.
According to the indictment, Hongjun served as the president and CEO of CNEP from 2009 to 2010 and as the chairman of the Board of Directors beginning in 2010. Jiang served as the vice president of corporate finance and corporate secretary of CNEP from 2008 until approximately 2011. The charges allege that in June of 2009, CNEP registered a shelf offering with the SEC proposing to sell up to $40 million of CNEP common stock in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange. In September and December 2009, CNEP made two separate offerings pursuant to the June registration. In documents filed with the SEC related to the offerings, and in other public statements to investors, Hongjun and Jiang informed investors that CNEP intended to use the funds raised from the securities offerings for general corporate purposes and to repay a prior corporate debt.
The indictment alleges that, instead of using the offering proceeds as represented to CNEP’s investors, Hongjun and Jiang misappropriated approximately $1,265,000 of the proceeds by wiring the money to bank accounts in the name of their family members—approximately $965,000 to Jiang’s father and approximately $300,000 to Hongjun’s wife—which was used, in part, to purchase a home in California, jewelry, and a Mercedes-Benz.
In addition, the indictment alleges that Jiang testified falsely under oath to the SEC in Washington, D.C., about these transactions. In that testimony, Jiang stated that none of his family members had received anything of value over $500 from CNEP, despite having wired $965,000 from CNEP’s bank account to the account of his father. Jiang also testified falsely regarding the use of proceeds from the securities offerings.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
In a related action, the SEC had previously filed a civil enforcement action against Hongjun, Jiang, and others in the Southern District of New York.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s New York Field Office and IRS-CI. The Department wishes to thank the SEC for its significant assistance in this case. The investigation is continuing.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Daniel Kahn and Kevin Muhlendorf of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Johnson for the District of Columbia.”
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Douglas McNabb – McNabb Associates, P.C.’s
Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Videos:
Federal Crimes – Be Careful
Federal Crimes – Be Proactive
Federal Crimes – Federal Indictment
Federal Crimes – Detention Hearing
Federal Mail Fraud Crimes
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To find additional federal criminal news, please read Federal Criminal Defense Daily.
Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write and/or report extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition Defense, OFAC SDN Sanctions Removal, International Criminal Court Defense, and US Seizure of Non-Resident, Foreign-Owned Assets. Because we have experience dealing with INTERPOL, our firm understands the inter-relationship that INTERPOL’s “Red Notice” brings to this equation.
The author of this blog is Douglas C. McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.
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Posted by McNabb Associates, P.C.
May 15, 2013
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on May 14, 2013 released the following:
“Former Construction Company Owner Indicted in Nevada for Income Tax Evasion
WASHINGTON—A federal grand jury in Nevada today returned an indictment against a former construction company owner for evading federal income and employment taxes, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Chief Richard Weber, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge William C. Woerner of the Las Vegas Field Office, and Sheriff Doug Gillespie of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Leon Benzer, 46, of Las Vegas, was charged in U.S. District Court in the District of Nevada with two counts of tax evasion.
In January 2013, Benzer was indicted in a related case on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. According to court documents, from approximately August 2003 through February 2009, Benzer orchestrated a scheme to direct construction defect litigation and repairs at condominium complexes to a conspiring law firm and Benzer’s construction company, Silver Lining Construction (SLC). As a result of this scheme, the indictment alleges that SLC was awarded a contract worth over $7 million for work at the Vistana Homeowner’s Association (Vistana HOA) in Las Vegas. The case is pending.
According to the indictment returned today, in August 2006, Benzer filed five years’ worth of personal tax forms and business tax returns without any payments accompanying those returns. As of April 2007, Benzer had allegedly failed to pay his personal tax liability of approximately $459,000 and SLC’s employment tax liability of approximately $687,000 and unemployment tax liability of approximately $18,000. In May 2007, the IRS issued a notice of intent to file a levy; Benzer subsequently appealed this process and indicated that he wanted to enter into an “offer-in-compromise” with the IRS to pay a portion of what was owed in full satisfaction of all his tax liabilities. According to the indictment, during this offer-in-compromise process, the IRS requested detailed financial information from Benzer.
Between March 2005 and January 2008, the indictment alleges that Benzer and SLC received over $7 million from the Vistana HOA contract, including a wire transfer of over $1 million on September 21, 2007, to a personal U.S. Bank account that Benzer opened in August 2007. The indictment alleges that when Benzer filed certain IRS forms related to the offer-in-compromise process on September 25, 2007, he failed to disclose this personal U.S. Bank account or the assets contained in it.
The maximum prison sentence for each count of tax evasion is five years in prison and a maximum fine of $100,000.
The charges and allegations against the indicted defendant are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Chief Kathleen McGovern, Deputy Chief Charles La Bella, and Trial Attorney Thomas B.W. Hall of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The case is being investigated by IRS-CI, the FBI, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Criminal Intelligence Section.
Today’s charges were brought in connection with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated, and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, and state and local partners, it is the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory, and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state, and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets; and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions; and other organizations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed nearly 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants including more than 2,900 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, please visit http://www.stopfraud.gov.”;
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Douglas McNabb – McNabb Associates, P.C.’s
Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Videos:
Federal Crimes – Be Careful
Federal Crimes – Be Proactive
Federal Crimes – Federal Indictment
Federal Crimes – Detention Hearing
Federal Mail Fraud Crimes
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To find additional federal criminal news, please read Federal Criminal Defense Daily.
Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write and/or report extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition Defense, OFAC SDN Sanctions Removal, International Criminal Court Defense, and US Seizure of Non-Resident, Foreign-Owned Assets. Because we have experience dealing with INTERPOL, our firm understands the inter-relationship that INTERPOL’s “Red Notice” brings to this equation.
The author of this blog is Douglas C. McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.
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Posted by McNabb Associates, P.C.
April 4, 2013
Herald Sun on April 4, 2013 released the following:
Emily Portelli From: Herald Sun
“INTERNATIONAL fugitive Richard Chichakli, arrested in Melbourne after applying to become a protective services officer, has asked to be sent back to the US to face charges linking him to a Russian arms dealer.
“I consent to the extradition and ask the court to kindly send me home to the United States as soon as possible,” the Syrian-born US citizen said today via video link at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
“I thank Australia for its hospitality, I just need to go home.”
The alleged associate of war criminal Viktor Bout arrived in Australia in June 2010 on a false Syrian passport and left and returned to Australia six times before his arrest in January.
The 53-year-old was living in Melbourne’s north and was arrested after his fingerprints were matched to an Interpol alert when he applied for a job as a PSO.
He had already passed Victoria Police psychological and fitness screening.
The US sought to extradite Mr Chichakli to New York to face charges relating to his alleged conspiracy with Bout to purchase planes to transport arms to international conflict zones.
Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg told Mr Chichakli he was facing charges of conspiracy to violate the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six wire fraud offences.
“Of course I deny all of them but that is for a United States court to try,” Mr Chichakli said.
“I am ready for extradition, sir.”
Mr Rozencwajg told him he would send a letter this afternoon to the Attorney-General, who would then likely order his surrender to the US.
Bout, who is currently serving 25 years on US terror charges, inspired the character played by Nicholas Cage in 2005 war film Lord of War.
It is alleged the pair provided arms to former Liberian dictator Charles Taylor, who was last year sentenced to 50 years’ jail for war crimes.
Mr Chichakli had been on the run from American authorities since 2005.”
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Douglas McNabb – McNabb Associates, P.C.’s
Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Videos:
Federal Crimes – Be Careful
Federal Crimes – Be Proactive
Federal Crimes – Federal Indictment
Federal Crimes – Detention Hearing
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To find additional federal criminal news, please read Federal Criminal Defense Daily.
Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write and/or report extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition Defense, OFAC SDN Sanctions Removal, International Criminal Court Defense, and US Seizure of Non-Resident, Foreign-Owned Assets. Because we have experience dealing with INTERPOL, our firm understands the inter-relationship that INTERPOL’s “Red Notice” brings to this equation.
The author of this blog is Douglas C. McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.
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Posted by McNabb Associates, P.C.
November 2, 2012
The Federal Bureau of Investigation on November 1, 2012 released the following:
“Covington Businessman Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud in Aftermath of BP Oil Spill
NEW ORLEANS— Bay E. Ingram, age 50, a resident of Covington, Louisiana, was charged today in a bill of information with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to court documents, the defendant Ingram was a businessman who owned and operated Southeast Recovery Group (SRG), a company which provided disaster relief services in the aftermath of the oil spill due to the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010.
In 2010, according to the bill of information, Ingram, through his company SRG, provided a helicopter that was supposed to be used for oil spill response by representatives of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and also assisted in the construction of helipads at the the Hopedale, Louisiana facility of British Petroleum p.l.c. (BP). In the case of both the helicopter and the helipads, Ingram, through his company SRG, acted as a “middleman” between the supplier of the helicopter and the companies responsible for the construction of the helipads, on the one hand; and BP, who was billed for cost of providing the goods and services, on the other hand.
The bill of information charges that Ingram arranged for the helicopter to be stationed at Hopedale from June through November 2010 but never had an agreement with BP to supply the helicopter after June 15, 2010. In an effort to get paid by BP, and to justify the amount of his unpaid invoices to BP totalling approximately $1.4 million, the bill of information charges that Ingram falsified and forged documents, including a contract between his company and his subcontractor company, which provided, equipped, and crewed the helicopter, as well as flight logs and flight manifests for the helicopter.
The bill of information also charges that Ingram caused the construction of five helipads at Hopedale at a cost of approximately $110,000. He then falsely represented to BP that his actual costs had been over $250,000, and he billed BP for, and was paid, $303,000.
It is further charged that throughout the period June 2010 and April 2011, Ingram’s suppliers repeatedly contacted Ingram in an effort to seek payment. Trying to dissuade his suppliers from contacting BP directly, Ingram created false and fictitious e-mails, some in the names of real persons and others in the name of a non-existent or fictitious person. For example, it is charged that Ingram sent e-mails purporting to have been sent by a fictitious person, “Jerry Aldini,” with a Yahoo e-mail address to various persons during the course of the scheme.
If he is convicted of the conspiracy charged against him, Ingram faces a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
U.S. Attorney Letten reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Chester and Eileen Gleason.”
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Douglas McNabb – McNabb Associates, P.C.’s
Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Videos:
Federal Crimes – Be Careful
Federal Crimes – Be Proactive
Federal Crimes – Federal Indictment
Federal Crimes – Detention Hearing
Federal Mail Fraud Crimes
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To find additional federal criminal news, please read Federal Criminal Defense Daily.
Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write and/or report extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition Defense, OFAC SDN Sanctions Removal, International Criminal Court Defense, and US Seizure of Non-Resident, Foreign-Owned Assets. Because we have experience dealing with INTERPOL, our firm understands the inter-relationship that INTERPOL’s “Red Notice” brings to this equation.
The author of this blog is Douglas C. McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.
Leave a Comment » | Federal Attorney, Federal Crime, Federal Crimes, Federal Criminal Attorney, Federal Criminal Defense, Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys - McNabb Associates, Federal Criminal Lawyer, Federal Lawyer | Tagged: Bay E. Ingram, Bay Ingram, Bill of Information, bill of information with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy, Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Deepwater Horizon rig, Douglas C McNabb, Douglas McNabb, F.B.I., fbi, FBI Investigation, federal attorney, federal attorneys, Federal Bureau of Investigation, federal criminal attorney, federal criminal attorneys, federal criminal defense, federal criminal defense attorney, federal criminal defense attorneys, federal criminal defense lawyer, federal criminal defense lawyers, federal criminal lawyer, federal criminal lawyers, federal lawyer, federal lawyers, federal wire fraud, Federal Wire Fraud Charge, Federal Wire Fraud Crime, international lawyer, McNabb Associates, Southeast Recovery Group, SRG, transnational criminal defense, wire fraud | Permalink
Posted by McNabb Associates, P.C.
October 19, 2012
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on October 18, 2012 released the following:
“Family Members Indicted for Fraud
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Rosebud couple and their son have been indicted by a federal grand jury for fraud.
Shannon Running, age 53; Norman Running, Sr., age 54; and Norman Running, Jr., age 34, all of Rosebud, were indicted by a federal grand jury on October 10, 2012, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Shannon Running was also charged with six counts of wire fraud, and Norman Running, Jr. was also charged with structuring currency transactions.
All three appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 17, 2012, at Pierre and pled not guilty to the indictment.
The conspiracy count and each wire fraud count carry a maximum penalty upon conviction of 20 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine, plus restitution. The structuring currency transactions count carries a maximum penalty upon conviction of five years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. If the structuring currency transactions count is found to be part of a pattern of illegal activity involving more than $100,000 in a 12-month period, upon conviction the maximum penalty of imprisonment and fine will double to 10 years and $500,000, respectively. The charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hendrickson is prosecuting the case. All three defendants were released pending trial. A trial date has been set for December 18, 2012.”
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Douglas McNabb – McNabb Associates, P.C.’s
Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Videos:
Federal Crimes – Be Careful
Federal Crimes – Be Proactive
Federal Crimes – Federal Indictment
Federal Crimes – Detention Hearing
Federal Mail Fraud Crimes
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To find additional federal criminal news, please read Federal Criminal Defense Daily.
Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write and/or report extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition Defense, OFAC SDN Sanctions Removal, International Criminal Court Defense, and US Seizure of Non-Resident, Foreign-Owned Assets. Because we have experience dealing with INTERPOL, our firm understands the inter-relationship that INTERPOL’s “Red Notice” brings to this equation.
The author of this blog is Douglas C. McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.
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Posted by McNabb Associates, P.C.
September 15, 2012
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on September 14, 2012 released the following:
“Three individuals wanted on federal fraud charges alleging they victimized hundreds while operating an alleged $25 million investment scheme were arrested in the Coachella Valley, announced Timothy Delaney, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.
Mr. Delaney made the announcement on behalf of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office, the Cathedral City Police Department, and the Palms Springs Police Department.
An indictment filed in March 2012 in the Eastern District of Michigan charged five defendants with conspiracy to commit wire fraud for their alleged roles in an investment scheme where hundreds of victims were allegedly defrauded of millions of dollars. Three of the defendants are Coachella Valley residents. Agents with the FBI’s Palm Springs Resident Agency, part of the FBI’s Los Angeles Division, assisted the FBI’s Detroit Field Office in locating the three Coachella Valley-based defendants following the indictment. Agents in Palm Springs requested assistance from the Cathedral City (California) and Palm Springs (California) Police Departments in locating and apprehending the fugitives.
Ronald Lee Brito, 61, and Bonnie Brito, 66, both of Rancho Mirage, California, were taken into custody on August 10, 2010, by officers with the Cathedral City Police Department after a safely executed vehicle-stop in Cathedral City.
Thomas Winston Moore, 68, of Palm Springs, California, was arrested at his residence on September 8 by officers with the Palm Springs Police Department.
The 64-count indictment alleges defendants participated in the Ponzi scheme between 2005 and 2012 and outlines an investment scheme where victims were promised lucrative returns on their investments in, among other things, valuable minerals extracted from a gold mine in Arizona. The indictment alleges the defendants used various corporate names, including Infinity Trading, LLC; GetMoni.com; and PJM
Kingman Mine to lure approximately 500 investors. The government has stated that the scheme brought in investments totaling more than $25 million.
Ronald and Bonnie Brito had an initial appearance in California and in the Eastern District of Michigan once they were returned to Detroit. Ronald Brito was remanded to federal custody and Bonnie Brito was released on bond.
Thomas Moore had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Riverside on Monday, September 10, and was remanded to federal custody pending removal to Detroit.
This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Detroit Field Office and will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Michigan.
The fugitive investigation involving defendants Ronald Brito, Bonnie Brito, and Thomas Winston Moore was conducted by officers with the Cathedral City Police Department; Palm Springs Police Department; and agents with the FBI in Palm Springs and Detroit. The United States Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles (Central District of California) provided considerable assistance during the California portion of this investigation.”
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Douglas McNabb – McNabb Associates, P.C.’s
Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Videos:
Federal Crimes – Be Careful
Federal Crimes – Be Proactive
Federal Crimes – Federal Indictment
Federal Crimes – Detention Hearing
Federal Mail Fraud Crimes
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To find additional federal criminal news, please read Federal Criminal Defense Daily.
Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write and/or report extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition Defense, OFAC SDN Sanctions Removal, International Criminal Court Defense, and US Seizure of Non-Resident, Foreign-Owned Assets. Because we have experience dealing with INTERPOL, our firm understands the inter-relationship that INTERPOL’s “Red Notice” brings to this equation.
The author of this blog is Douglas C. McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.
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Posted by McNabb Associates, P.C.
September 15, 2012
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on September 14, 2012 released the following:
“RALEIGH— The United States Attorney’s Office announced that the indictment of JAMES THOMAS WEBB, 51, was unsealed today in federal court. WEBB has been charged in a 50-count indictment which includes conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349; 10 counts of bank fraud and aiding and abetting, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1344 and 2; three counts of wire fraud and aiding and abetting, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343 and 2; and 36 counts of making false statements to influence banks on loans and aiding and abetting, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1014 and 2. WEBB was arrested by federal agents on September 13, 2012 in Miami, Florida.
The Indictment charges that between 2002 and 2006, WEBB operated various real estate companies, including Alpine Properties, LLC and Webb Builders, LLC for a profit. WEBB promised investors in multiple states quick, large, and safe financial gains by investing money with him. WEBB promised investors that he would use their money to purchase, renovate, and resell properties to first-time home buyers in various states, including North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. WEBB caused investors to take out loans on properties that he and his companies had allegedly renovated.
The indictment further alleges that despite alleged philanthropic and humanitarian objectives, that WEBB carried out a fraud upon both the investors who gave cash to WEBB, and the banks and lenders who WEBB caused to disburse loan proceeds. According to the indictment, WEBB conspired with former attorney, Amy Robinson, to falsify closing statements associated with the loan transactions. It is alleged that the closing statements falsified various facts, including the amount of money paid to WEBB on the transactions. WEBB is also alleged to have conspired with a former appraiser, Larry Max McDaniel, and his associate, Jackie Gale Weaver, to falsify appraisal reports that were given to banks and lenders in connection with investor loans. The appraisal reports are alleged to have falsely stated that McDaniel had physically viewed the properties, when in fact he had not. The indictment also alleges that the properties sold to investors and financed by banks were not always completed or in the condition represented in the appraisal reports.
During the course of the alleged scheme, the indictment charges that WEBB lived lavishly, residing in a multi-million-dollar mansion, driving expensive vehicles, including a Bentley, traveling extensively, and otherwise paying himself handsomely. WEBB is alleged to have abruptly left North Carolina for Florida in 2004, where he continued to market his services under new company names.
According to the indictment, based upon WEBB’s statements and representations to investors, various individuals collectively invested millions of dollars with WEBB and his companies. Additionally, banks and lenders are alleged to have disbursed millions of dollars in loans, leaving investors holding millions in debt. The indictment alleges that WEBB left various neighborhoods in North Carolina and Virginia blighted with boarded up and dilapidated homes, many of which were ultimately demolished as uninhabitable.
Larry Max McDaniel, 69, pleaded guilty in federal court on June 11, 2012 to making false statements to federally insured financial institutions, and aiding and abetting. Jackie Gale Weaver pleaded guilty in federal court on September 21, 2011 to conspiracy to make false statements to federally insured financial institutions. Amy Robinson, 35, pleaded guilty in federal court on May 3, 2010 to conspiracy to commit mail, wire, and bank fraud.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Investigation of this case is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney William M. Gilmore is prosecuting the case.”
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Douglas McNabb – McNabb Associates, P.C.’s
Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Videos:
Federal Crimes – Be Careful
Federal Crimes – Be Proactive
Federal Crimes – Federal Indictment
Federal Crimes – Detention Hearing
Federal Mail Fraud Crimes
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To find additional federal criminal news, please read Federal Criminal Defense Daily.
Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write and/or report extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition Defense, OFAC SDN Sanctions Removal, International Criminal Court Defense, and US Seizure of Non-Resident, Foreign-Owned Assets. Because we have experience dealing with INTERPOL, our firm understands the inter-relationship that INTERPOL’s “Red Notice” brings to this equation.
The author of this blog is Douglas C. McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.
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Posted by McNabb Associates, P.C.
August 30, 2012
U.S. Attorney’s Office News Release on August 29, 2012 released the following:
“Title Company Attorney Convicted in Multi-Million Dollar Mortgage Fraud Scheme
HOUSTON – Lisa Carol Ross, 50, of Missouri City, Texas, has pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today along with FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen L. Morris and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cruz.
Ross, an attorney and escrow officer for Vision Title LLC, and three others were indicted in 2011 for a scheme to defraud residential mortgage lenders. According to the indictment, the conspirators allegedly used fraudulent documents to help borrowers qualify for mortgage loans to purchase condominium units in the Commerce Towers building located on Main Street in downtown Houston as well as residential homes in the Houston area. The indictment indicates the documents had false and misleading information about the borrowers’ income, assets, liabilities, employment status, bank deposits, rental payments, intent to use properties as a primary residence and source of funds used to close the real estate transactions. Today, Ross admitted that she arranged for disbursements from the title company to be turned into cash and money orders and secretly distributed to the involved parties.
Ross is currently in custody on unrelated state charges where she will remain pending sentencing in this case by U.S. District Judge Gray Miller on Jan. 25, 2013. At that time, Ross faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The others charged in relation to this case are set to begin trial on Dec. 3, 2012. They are presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.
The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by the FBI, IRS-CI, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General and Houston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney John Lewis is prosecuting the case.”
A previous post concerning this case may be found here.
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Douglas McNabb – McNabb Associates, P.C.’s
Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Videos:
Federal Crimes – Be Careful
Federal Crimes – Be Proactive
Federal Crimes – Federal Indictment
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To find additional federal criminal news, please read Federal Criminal Defense Daily.
Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write and/or report extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition Defense, OFAC SDN Sanctions Removal, International Criminal Court Defense, and US Seizure of Non-Resident, Foreign-Owned Assets. Because we have experience dealing with INTERPOL, our firm understands the inter-relationship that INTERPOL’s “Red Notice” brings to this equation.
The author of this blog is Douglas C. McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.
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Posted by McNabb Associates, P.C.
August 28, 2012
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on August 27, 2012 released the following:
“A criminal information was filed charging Leslie Apisdorf, age 51, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud for acts that resulted in loss of more than $300,000, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
From on or about October 24, 2005 through on or about February 1, 2009, Apisdorf conspired to defraud financial institutions in connection with the financing of trucks and trailers which were purported to be owned by Mark’s Akron Medina Truck Sales Inc., according to the information.
Apisdorf owned and operated Hazel Financial Ltd., which provided financing through Hazel on vehicles sold and purchased by Mark’s. Both Hazel and Mark’s were located at 2636 Brecksville Road in Richfield, Ohio, according to the information.
It was part of the scheme that between 2005 and 2009, Apisdorf and others submitted false documents to financial institutions which purported to show transactions for the sales of trucks and trailers, according to the information.
In fact, the trucks and trailers submitted for financing were inflated above their market rate, were already collateralized or did not exist, according to the information.
Apisdorf and others received loan proceeds and fees in connection with the financing of trucks and trailers based on false documents, according to the information. As a result of the acts committed by Apisdorf during the time period of the conspiracy, financial institutions suffered total losses of approximately $308,474.
The information is a result of an investigation conducted by Special Agent Jeffrey P. Kassouf with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.
In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
An information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.
A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”
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Douglas McNabb – McNabb Associates, P.C.’s
Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Videos:
Federal Crimes – Be Careful
Federal Crimes – Be Proactive
Federal Crimes – Federal Indictment
Federal Crimes – Detention Hearing
Federal Mail Fraud Crimes
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To find additional federal criminal news, please read Federal Criminal Defense Daily.
Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write and/or report extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition Defense, OFAC SDN Sanctions Removal, International Criminal Court Defense, and US Seizure of Non-Resident, Foreign-Owned Assets. Because we have experience dealing with INTERPOL, our firm understands the inter-relationship that INTERPOL’s “Red Notice” brings to this equation.
The author of this blog is Douglas C. McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.
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Posted by McNabb Associates, P.C.
June 19, 2012
The Herald Bulletin on June 19, 2012 released the following:
“Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS — Federal prosecutors wrapped up their case Monday against a prominent Indianapolis businessman who they say bilked investors out of $200 million, much of it life savings.
For the past week, prosecutors have presented evidence against Tim Durham, business partner James F. Cochran and accountant Rick D. Snow. The men are accused of raiding the Akron, Ohio-based Fair Finance Co. and allegedly used a Ponzi scheme to steal the savings from about 5,000 mostly elderly investors. They are charged with 12 felony counts of wire fraud, securities fraud and conspiracy to commit wire and securities fraud.
One of them, Donald Russell of Doylestown, Ohio, testified that he lost $350,000, and his 82-year-old mother lost $125,000 and died a month later. He said he believes the stress of losing her life savings pushed her over the edge.
“They have no hearts or souls,” Russell said of Durham and his partners.
Defense attorney John Tompkins said Durham is innocent, but told The Indianapolis Star that he feels sorry for Russell.
“I don’t think that there are any words that could begin to address the situation that he faces,” Tompkins said. “He had a horrible circumstance, and words cannot console him.”
Prosecutors presented analyses of forensic accountants that showed money from Fair Finance being used to help pay for an expensive Playboy party, Durham’s classic cars and trips to luxury resorts and casinos.
Donald Fair, who sold his company to Durham and Cochran in 2002, testified that the men loaned investors’ money to themselves and their businesses and never repaid it.
Prosecutors played recorded phone calls in which Durham and Cochran allegedly made up excuses to give investors about why their interest checks had stopped and they couldn’t cash in. The men tried to persuade Ohio regulators to allow them to sell another $250 million in investment certificates, prosecutors said, and took cash deposits from investors to whom they promised to issue more investment certificates later.
Cochran doubted regulators would shut down the company, according to recordings played in court.
“If they’re gonna blow us up, we’re gonna blow them up,” Cochran allegedly said in a phone call with Durham on Nov. 13, 2009. “I mean nobody wins and everybody loses, but we lose the worst. … I mean it would be a catastrophic event in the state of Ohio. And I’m sure they don’t want that kind of headline.”
Prosecutors presented emails and recordings in which the men discussed layoffs, selling off assets and other ways to cut costs or conceal the loans, yet Cochran also asked to raise his salary to $1 million a year.
In the weeks before an FBI raid shut down Fair Finance in November 2009, prosecutors said Monday, Durham and his partners transferred $85 million from the parent company, DC Investments, to Fair’s books to show more assets on the company’s balance sheet, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported.
Defense attorneys are expected to present their case Tuesday morning, and closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. Jury deliberations are expected to begin Wednesday.
Attorneys for Cochran and Snow have declined to talk about the trial, and Tompkins refused to discuss his defense strategy. He said he didn’t know if Durham would testify in his own defense.
“That will be his decision, but I will advise him,” Tompkins said. “We haven’t had our discussion.”"
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Douglas McNabb – McNabb Associates, P.C.’s
Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Videos:
Federal Crimes – Be Careful
Federal Crimes – Be Proactive
Federal Crimes – Federal Indictment
————————————————————–
To find additional federal criminal news, please read Federal Criminal Defense Daily.
Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write and/or report extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition Defense, OFAC SDN Sanctions Removal, International Criminal Court Defense, and US Seizure of Non-Resident, Foreign-Owned Assets. Because we have experience dealing with INTERPOL, our firm understands the inter-relationship that INTERPOL’s “Red Notice” brings to this equation.
The author of this blog is Douglas C. McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.
Leave a Comment » | Federal Attorney, Federal Crime, Federal Crimes, Federal Criminal Attorney, Federal Criminal Defense, Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys - McNabb Associates, Federal Criminal Lawyer, Federal Lawyer | Tagged: conspiracy, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, DC Investments, Defense attorney, defense attorneys, Douglas C McNabb, Douglas McNabb, fbi, FBI Raid, federal attorney, federal attorneys, federal criminal attorney, federal criminal attorneys, federal criminal defense attorney, federal criminal defense attorneys, federal criminal defense lawyer, federal criminal defense lawyers, federal criminal lawyer, federal criminal lawyers, federal lawyer, federal lawyers, federal prosecutor, federal prosecutors, international lawyer, James F. Cochran, McNabb Associates, Ponzi, ponzi scheme, Rick D. Snow, securities fraud, Tim Durham, transnational criminal defense, wire fraud | Permalink
Posted by McNabb Associates, P.C.
