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Geoffrey Berman

Trump Names Ex-SEC Chief To Replace Damian Williams As SDNY's Top Prosecutor Trump Names Ex-SEC Chief To Replace Damian Williams As SDNY's Top Prosecutor
Trump Names Ex-sec Chief To Replace Damian Williams As Sdny's Top Prosecutor President-elect Donald Trump is looking to replace Damian Williams, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, with a familiar face from his previous administration who hails from Pennsylvania.  Trump announced on Thursday, Nov. 14 that he would nominate Jay Clayton, who has no experience as a criminal prosecutor, to be the next US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.  Clayton, age 58, previously served as Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission from May 2017 to December 2020, a role in which Trump wrote he "did an incredible job." Before that, he…
Biden Nominates Longtime Lawyer To Serve As US Attorney for the Southern District of NY Biden Nominates Longtime Lawyer To Serve As US Attorney for the Southern District of NY
Biden Nominates Longtime Lawyer To Serve As US Attorney for the Southern District of NY President Joe Biden has nominated Damian Williams to serve as the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, one of the most high-profile federal positions. Williams, age 40, has been an Assistant United States Attorney for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York since 2012, serving as its Chief of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. The Southern District includes Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester County, and other northern suburbs. If approved, Williams would be the first African American to serve as the leader of the Manhattan prose…
New Distribution Of More Than $378M Allotted To Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims New Distribution Of More Than $378M Allotted To Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims
New Distribution Of More Than $378M Allotted To Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims Thousands of Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi Scheme victims will be receiving their portions of the fifth distribution of more than $378 million this week. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced that the Madoff Victim Fund will be distributing $378.5 million to more than 26,000 of his victims involved in the fraud scheme. To date, approximately $2.7 billion has been distributed to Madoff’s victims. Berman said that the fifth payment will bring the victims’ total recovery to 73.65 percent of their losses.  Ultimately, more than $4 billion will be returned due to losses suffered in Madoff’s Ponz…
Owner Of Westchester-Based Company Sentenced For $38 Million Fraud Conspiracy Owner Of Westchester-Based Company Sentenced For $38 Million Fraud Conspiracy
Owner Of Westchester-Based Company Sentenced For $38 Million Fraud Conspiracy The former owner and operator of a Westchester business will spend more than a decade in federal prison for her role in a $38 million fraud conspiracy. Jacqueline Graham, who operated Terra Foundation in Valhalla, was sentenced to 132 months in prison in connection with a $38 million fraudulent mortgage debt elimination scheme, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman announced. Graham was convicted in June last year following a two-week trial. Berman said that from at least 2011 through 2012, Graham partnered with Bruce Lewis and John Ruzza in operating Terra Fou…
Westchester Man Accused Of Zip Tying Victim In Gunpoint Kidnapping Westchester Man Accused Of Zip Tying Victim In Gunpoint Kidnapping
Westchester Man Accused Of Zip Tying Victim In Gunpoint Kidnapping A Westchester man has been accused of committing a violent gunpoint kidnapping. Yonkers resident Owen Drain, also known as “Whiteboy,” and “Tommy,” was charged this week in Manhattan federal court to a gunpoint kidnapping in the Bronx on Nov. 19 last year. It is alleged that on that day, Drain zip-tied his victim during the course of the kidnapping, according to U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman. “As alleged in the Indictment, the defendant kidnapped a victim in a car at gunpoint,” Berman said in a statement. “Thanks to the outstanding work of the FBI…
Westchester Residents Charged With Submitting Millions Of Dollars In Fake Claims To Medicaid Westchester Residents Charged With Submitting Millions Of Dollars In Fake Claims To Medicaid
Westchester Residents Charged With Submitting Millions Of Dollars In Fake Claims To Medicaid A pair of Westchester residents are facing criminal charges for their roles in a multi-million dollar Medicaid scheme. Yonkers residents Jorgelina Abreu Gil, 32, the owner of KJ Transportation C Services Inc., and her husband, Julio Alvarado, 59, the manager of the company, were among 13 charged with participating in a scheme to steal millions of dollars from New York State Medicaid program by making fraudulent claims related to transportation services. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said that beginning in 2017, KJ began submitting claims to Medicaid for purported medical transportation serv…
Woman Who Managed Insurance Brokerage Sentenced For Defrauding 1,100 Customers Of $415K Woman Who Managed Insurance Brokerage Sentenced For Defrauding 1,100 Customers Of $415K
Woman Who Managed Insurance Brokerage Sentenced For Defrauding 1,100 Customers Of $415K The former manager of an area insurance brokerage will spend years behind bars for defrauding more than 1,100 customers. Flushing resident Nancy Credidio, the former manager of a car insurance brokerage, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for defrauding more than 1,100 victims customers out of more than $415,000. Specifically, Credidio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. According to U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman, “in order to legally drive a car in New York State, the car must be covered by an insurance policy.  From 2010 through 2017, Credidio was a manage…
Hudson Valley-Based Company To Pay EPA $575,000 For Violating Safety Rules Hudson Valley-Based Company To Pay EPA $575,000 For Violating Safety Rules
Hudson Valley-Based Company To Pay EPA $575,000 For Violating Safety Rules A Hudson Valley-based company agreed to pay a hefty penalty after being sued by the federal government for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act involving asbestos renovations at a former hospital. Dutchess County-based Dover Greens, the company tasked with developing the former Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center in Wingdale, was charged with violating the Clean Air Act and EPA’s National Emissions Standards for Asbestos during renovations at the facility, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced. It was alleged that Dover Greens failed to take the necessary precautions and follow the proper…
Westchester Man Among NYC Drug Ring Members Nabbed In Bust, Feds Say Westchester Man Among NYC Drug Ring Members Nabbed In Bust, Feds Say
Westchester Man Among NYC Drug Ring Members Nabbed In Bust, Feds Say A Westchester man is among a dozen involved in a crack cocaine distribution ring in Manhattan facing drug and weapons charges for their roles in the operation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. New Rochelle resident Ronald “Jeter” Nixon, 42, was among 12 arrested for operating the drug distribution ring in the area of 125th Street and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced. Six of the suspects were arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 11 and appeared in federal court on Thursday, Dec. 12. One is already in state custody and five remain at large. “This case highli…
Ex-Investment Bank Director From Long Island Sentenced For Insider Trading Scheme Ex-Investment Bank Director From Long Island Sentenced For Insider Trading Scheme
Ex-Investment Bank Director From Long Island Sentenced For Insider Trading Scheme A former Wall Street investment banker from Long Island has been sentenced after being convicted of insider trading for a second time after illegally tipping his father off to healthcare industry mergers. North Merrick resident Sean Stewart, 38, a former senior investment banker at two New York-based investment banks was sentenced to 24 months in prison following his conviction after a seven-day trial for illegally providing tips to his father, Robert Stewart, with non-public information. In addition to his prison term, Stewart was sentenced to three years of supervised release. He's due to…
Trio From Area Nabbed In FBI Sting For Running $6M Unlicensed Money Transmitting Scheme In Area Trio From Area Nabbed In FBI Sting For Running $6M Unlicensed Money Transmitting Scheme In Area
Trio From Area Nabbed In FBI Sting For Running $6M Unlicensed Money Transmitting Scheme In Area Three area residents have been arrested and charged for running a multi-million dollar scheme to operate an unlicensed money transmitting businesses to launder money derived from illegal activities. Rockland residents Chaskel Landau, 45, of Spring Valley, Alter Landau, 64, of Spring Valley, and Joseph Neumann, 78, of Monsey, were arrested this week, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced. The three were tied to an elaborate scheme to transmit approximately $6 million. The three were arrested following an FBI sting operation. It is alleged that between September 2014 and August 2016, the t…
Accused Queens Drug Dealer Charged In Fentanyl Overdose Death Accused Queens Drug Dealer Charged In Fentanyl Overdose Death
Accused Queens Drug Dealer Charged In Fentanyl Overdose Death A drug distributer from Queens is facing charges for allegedly selling the fentanyl that led to the fatal drug overdose of a 29-year-old woman. A grand jury has returned an indictment charging Jeanluc Joiles, 36, and Jaime Rosario, Jr., with participating in a conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, and Rosario is charged with possessing firearms in connection with a drug trafficking offense. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said that on June 20, Rachel Spiteri was found dead in her Manhattan apartment. The investigation into her overdose by the NYPD and DEA determined …
Feds Sue Orange County Horse Racing Training Center Over Violations Feds Sue Orange County Horse Racing Training Center Over Violations
Feds Sue Orange County Horse Racing Training Center Over Violations The federal government has levied charges against the owners of a Hudson Valley horse racing training center for allegedly violating the Federal Clean Water Act. It is alleged that from 2007 to 2017, the owners and operators of Mark Ford Stables in Wallkill destroyed existing federal wetlands and rerouted streams in the course of building a horse racing training center at both properties,” U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said. In addition, the owners allegedly have operated a concentrated animal feeding operation without a permit, allowing horse wash water and process wastewater to be discha…
Ex-CEO From Long Island Admits Scheme To Defraud Victims In Sale Of Worthless Stock Ex-CEO From Long Island Admits Scheme To Defraud Victims In Sale Of Worthless Stock
Ex-ceo From Long Island Admits Scheme To Defraud Victims In Sale Of Worthless Stock A former CEO from Long Island admitted to his role in a scheme to defraud the elderly victims in the sale of worthless stock. Dix Hills resident Keith Orlean - also known as “Jack Allen” - pleaded guilty in district court to participating in a scheme to target elderly persons to solicit purchases of stock in a series of valueless companies through a variety of lies and misrepresentations. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said that for several years, Orlean and his co-conspirators operated a fraudulent scheme in which a salesman named “Mike Palmer” would call elderly people and offer them a “ti…
Ex-Investment Banker From Long Island Convicted For Insider Trading Scheme Ex-Investment Banker From Long Island Convicted For Insider Trading Scheme
Ex-Investment Banker From Long Island Convicted For Insider Trading Scheme A former Wall Street investment banker from Long Island has been convicted of insider trading for a second time after illegally tipping his father off to healthcare industry mergers. North Merrick resident Sean Stewart, 38, a former senior investment banker at two New York-based investment banks was convicted following a seven-day trial for illegally providing tips to his father, Robert Stewart, with non-public information. Stewart was found guilty of providing his father with non-public information concerning five separate corporate acquisitions before they were announced, U.S. Attorney Ge…
Man Sentenced For Account Takeover, Money Laundering Scheme Affecting Tens Of Thousands Man Sentenced For Account Takeover, Money Laundering Scheme Affecting Tens Of Thousands
Man Sentenced For Account Takeover, Money Laundering Scheme Affecting Tens Of Thousands A Brooklyn man will spend nearly five years in prison for stealing identities, defrauding banks and e-commerce retailers out of more than a million dollars, impacting tens of thousands of victims over a decade. Jason Mickel Elcock - also known as Prezzi - was sentenced in Manhattan federal court was sentenced to 57 months in prison or engaging in a decade-long scheme to steal personal and financial information from tens of thousands of individuals and businesses and unlawful possession of a firearm, resulting in a loss of more than $1.1 million to banks and online retailers Elcock pleaded g…
Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get New $469M Distribution, Bringing Payout To $2.4B Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get New $469M Distribution, Bringing Payout To $2.4B
Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get New $469M Distribution, Bringing Payout To $2.4B Thousands of Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi Scheme victims will see some more relief as the Department of Justice begins the latest distribution of more than $469 million. This week, the Madoff Victim Fund, which was established by the DOJ, began distributing $469.6 million in additional funds that were forfeited to the government in connection to Madoff's scheme. The money will be distributed to more than 27,000 victims, bringing the total to approximately $2.4 billion. The latest distribution marks the fourth in a series of payments from the Madoff Victim Fund as part of Madoff’s fraud, which tot…
Pair Sentenced For Kidnapping, Killing Area Man Who Was Federal Cooperating Witness Pair Sentenced For Kidnapping, Killing Area Man Who Was Federal Cooperating Witness
Pair Sentenced For Kidnapping, Killing Area Man Who Was Federal Cooperating Witness Two men will spend the rest of their lives in prison after being convicted of kidnapping and murdering a federal cooperating witness from the area in a violent armed robbery more than two years ago. Bronx residents Robert Pizarro and Juan Rivera were convicted in September last year of murdering a witness from Rockland to prevent him from reporting to law enforcement, kidnapping conspiracy, kidnapping resulting in death, robbery conspiracy, robbery, and weapons offenses, arising out of the murder of federal cooperating witness and Garnerville resident Robert Bishun on Sept. 20, 2016. On Tue…
Ex-Rockland Bus Company Magnate Appeals Corruption Conviction Ex-Rockland Bus Company Magnate Appeals Corruption Conviction
Ex-Rockland Bus Company Magnate Appeals Corruption Conviction The former owner of a local bus repair and transportation company in Rockland who was sentenced to more than four years in prison on federal bribery and corruption charges is appealing his conviction. Richard Brega, who owned Brega D.O.T. Maintenance Corp. in Rockland County, was sentenced to 50 months in prison in December last year after he was found guilty by a federal jury in White Plains, following a three-week trial. Berga, 52, whose prison term is scheduled to end in 2022, is claiming that the jury verdicts were inconsistent, prompting him to ask for a reversal of his conviction and …
Gang Leader Admits To Murdering Man During Card Game In Area Gang Leader Admits To Murdering Man During Card Game In Area
Gang Leader Admits To Murdering Man During Card Game In Area A gang leader is facing life in prison after admitting to murdering a man and injuring two others while robbing a card game being played on the sidewalk in front of a laundromat in the area. Skylar “S-Dot” Davis, 22, a “Southside” gang leader, pleaded guilty this week to his role in a racketeering conspiracy, and to murdering Samuel Stubbs during a robbery as he was playing cards on Lander Street in 2015. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said that as part of his guilty plea, Davis - who was already in prison for weapon and drug charges - also admitted to committing or helping to commit an addi…
Westchester Man Sentenced For Four Armed Carjackings Westchester Man Sentenced For Four Armed Carjackings
Westchester Man Sentenced For Four Armed Carjackings A 33-year-old man will spend the better part of a decade behind bars after being sentenced for several armed carjackings in and around Westchester late last year. Mount Vernon resident Samir “S” Sullivan, has been sentenced to 96 months in prison for four separate armed carjackings of cabs in Mount Vernon and the Bronx in November, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced. Sullivan pleaded guilty in White Plains federal court earlier this year. Berman said that in the middle of the night on Nov. 25 and Nov. 29 last year, Sullivan and a co-conspirator committed the four armed carjackings, dur…
Doc From Morristown Falsely Prescribed Adult Diapers In Huge Billing Fraud Doc From Morristown Falsely Prescribed Adult Diapers In Huge Billing Fraud
Doc From Morristown Falsely Prescribed Adult Diapers In Huge Billing Fraud Two medical professionals, including a doctor who lives in New Jersey, were found guilty of helping scam tens of millions of dollars from Medicare and Medicaid in New York, authorities said. Paul Mathieu, 53, of Morristown and Brooklyn resident Hatem Behiry, 51, used three medical clinics to send false claims to the federal programs over the course of a decade beginning in 2017, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman of the Southern District of New York said. Authorities estimate the scam cost the federal government $30 million.  Initially, Mathieu posed as the owner of the three clinics actua…
Five Charged In Westchester With Drug Trafficking Five Charged In Westchester With Drug Trafficking
Five Charged In Westchester With Drug Trafficking Five men have been charged in White Plains federal court and will face life in prison for allegedly trafficking cocaine in the Hudson Valley. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Ronald “Solo” Miller, Jason Paradies, Frank “Nitty” Nesbit, Corey Webb, and Kiyon Webb with the distribution of cocaine and cocaine base throughout the Southern District of New York. All five men were taken into federal custody on Wednesday, April 10 and Thursday, April 11 and presented in White Plains federal court. The indictment alleges that between 2016 through Octobe…
Four Members Of Middletown Drug Trafficking Organization Charged With Distributing Heroin Four Members Of Middletown Drug Trafficking Organization Charged With Distributing Heroin
Four Members Of Middletown Drug Trafficking Organization Charged With Distributing Heroin Four suspects are facing life in prison after being charged for their roles in a multi-year heroin distribution ring in Orange County. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced that an indictment has been unsealed alleging that from 2015 through last year, Luis “Colla” Ortiz, Felix Velez, Carmen “Evaliz” Torres and Jose Colon conspired to distribute more than a kilogram of heroin in Middletown. Three were arrested in Orange County, and a fourth suspect was also arrested in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and was presented in federal court. The indictment alleges that the traffickers dis…
Developer, Builder Of Northern Westchester Condo Reaches Fair Housing Act Settlement Developer, Builder Of Northern Westchester Condo Reaches Fair Housing Act Settlement
Developer, Builder Of Northern Westchester Condo Reaches Fair Housing Act Settlement A Northern Westchester condominium complex will be retrofitted to improve accessibility for people with disabilities after settling a Fair Housing Act lawsuit. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced that the United States has reached a settlement with Bedford Development LLC, Carnegie Construction Corp., Jobco Inc., Robert Pasucci and Warshauer Mellusi Warshauer Architects, P.C. regarding accessibility concerns at the Sutton Manor condominium complex in Mount Kisco. Berman said that the settlement requires the parties to pay nearly $200,000 for retrofits at the condominium complex. Improve…
Westchester Woman, Brother Charged In Visa Fraud Conspiracy Westchester Woman, Brother Charged In Visa Fraud Conspiracy
Westchester Woman, Brother Charged In Visa Fraud Conspiracy A Westchester woman and her brother are facing charges for their roles in a visa fraud scheme involving the enticing of illegal aliens to come to the United States to serve as domestic workers. Bronxville resident Maria Luisa Estrella Jaidi and her brother, Philippines native Ramon Singson Estrella, are facing time behind bars after being charged and arrested for running an elaborate scheme involving illegal immigrants, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced on Wednesday.  The allegations against the siblings claim that from 2006 through 2016, Jaidi and Estrella conspired with a third…
Former Cuomo Aide From Northern Westchester Ordered To Report To Prison Former Cuomo Aide From Northern Westchester Ordered To Report To Prison
Former Cuomo Aide From Northern Westchester Ordered To Report To Prison A Northern Westchester man and former top aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been ordered to report to prison after being convicted on corruption charges and having his appeal denied. Joseph Percoco, a South Salem resident, was convicted of accepting $300,000 in bribes from an energy company last year and was sentenced to six years in prison. Percoco was originally scheduled to report to prison on March 1, but a court ruled that he can stay a free man as he appeals his conviction. On Thursday, March 7, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan denied Percoco’s bail and he was ordere…
Ex-Cuomo Aide From Westchester Has Prison Surrender Date Postponed Ex-Cuomo Aide From Westchester Has Prison Surrender Date Postponed
Ex-Cuomo Aide From Westchester Has Prison Surrender Date Postponed A former top aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will not be reporting to jail on March 1 as he continues to fight his conviction on corruption charges. Joseph Percoco, a South Salem resident, was convicted of accepting $300,000 in bribes from an energy company last year and was sentenced to six years in prison. He was scheduled to report to prison on March 1, but a court has ruled that he can stay a free man as he continues to appeal the conviction. Percoco was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and one count of solicitation of bribes or gratuities…
Westchester Native DMX Released From Federal Prison For Tax Evasion Westchester Native DMX Released From Federal Prison For Tax Evasion
Westchester Native DMX Released From Federal Prison For Tax Evasion Westchester native Earl Simmons - you may know him by his stage name, DMX - is a free man after spending a year behind bars for tax evasion. Last year, the 48-year-old rapper was sentenced to a year in prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion. Simmons, a Mount Vernon native who grew up in Yonkers, was confined to his Westchester home. His home confinement was revoked last January when he failed a drug test. On Friday, Jan. 25, Simmons was released, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He had been housed at the Gilmer Federal Correctional Institution in Glenville, West Virginia. S…
Man Sentenced For Enticing Girl In Westchester Charged With Threatening Judge, Prosecutor Man Sentenced For Enticing Girl In Westchester Charged With Threatening Judge, Prosecutor
Man Sentenced For Enticing Girl In Westchester Charged With Threatening Judge, Prosecutor An Orange County man who was sentenced to time in prison for enticing a teenage girl from Westchester into sexual activity is facing additional time behind bars for threatening a judge and U.S. attorney. Clint Edwards of New Windsor was sentenced to 20 years in prison for enticing a child to engage in illegal sexual activity. He pleaded guilty to the crime on July 2 last year, following the illicit activities in 2017. This week, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced that Edwards, 28, has been charged with two counts with threatening a United States District Judge for the Southern Dis…
Westchester Man Charged With August 2018 Murder Westchester Man Charged With August 2018 Murder
Westchester Man Charged With August 2018 Murder A 26-year-old man may face death after he was charged with murdering someone earlier this year to benefit his marijuana distribution ring, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced on Thursday. Barry Johnson of Mount Vernon has been charged with aiding and abetting the murder of David DeGrace on Aug. 26 to further a drug distribution conspiracy. Johnson was arrested on Thursday, Dec. 20 in Mount Vernon and appeared in court later in the day. On the day of the fatal shooting, DeGrace, 36, was at his South Seventh Avenue apartment in Mount Vernon, where he was killed. “Last summer, David …