Guns n Bribes, not a good mix

web page of arrested Attorney, John Chambers, www.nygun.com

According to the feds...."Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today that PAUL DEAN, ROBERT ESPINEL, GAETANO VALASTRO, a/k/a “Guy,” and JOHN CHAMBERS were arrested and charged in Manhattan federal court with conspiracy to commit bribery, among other offenses, in connection with a scheme involving the approval of gun licenses by the NYPD License Division in exchange for cash payments and non-monetary bribes.  Acting U.S. Attorney Kim also announced the unsealing of the guilty pleas of David Villanueva, a former NYPD Sergeant assigned to the License Division, and Frank Soohoo, a gun license expediter.  In connection with their guilty pleas, Villanueva and Soohoo have agreed to cooperate with the Government.

DEAN and ESPINEL were arrested and charged in Manhattan federal court with two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, and one count of extortion; VALASTRO was arrested and charged in Manhattan federal court in the same case with two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, and one count of making false statements.  CHAMBERS was arrested and charged separately in Manhattan federal court with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and one count of bribery.  All four defendants were arrested this morning by FBI agents and officers from the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau (“IAB”), and will be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin Nathaniel Fox in Manhattan this afternoon.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “Corruption was allegedly pervasive at the NYPD’s License Division going up as high as Lieutenant Paul Dean, until recently the Division’s second in command, and including three other officers, Sergeant David Villanueva, Officer Robert Espinel and Officer Richard Ochetal.  Corruption at the License Division also spawned a cottage industry of parasitic profiteers, alleged bribers masquerading as so-called expediters, that included other former police officers and John Chambers, a lawyer and former Brooklyn prosecutor.  As alleged, for the police officers and expediters charged in this case, the critically important police function of issuing and controlling gun licenses was one they were willing to pervert for personal profit.  When police officers violate their oath in this way, they not only betray the public they have sworn to protect, but their fellow officers who do their jobs the right way, remaining faithful to the duties they owe to the public and to each other.  This Office, along with our partners at the FBI and NYPD, remain as committed as ever to ensure that public servants serve the public, not their personal pocketbooks.” 

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Law enforcement officials are granted authority to uphold the fundamental rule of law. But any abuse of this power – no matter how great or how small – is nothing short of a crime in and of itself.  Today, as alleged, a series of gun expediters and former NYPD officers of various ranks face charges for their alleged role in a scheme that threatened the safety of our communities.  The vast majority of NYPD officers who willingly protect our city each and every day, no matter the risks, shouldn’t be associated with a select few who, as charged, placed a higher priority on satisfying their desires than upholding the law.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “Over the past three years, the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau has conducted a thorough and comprehensive investigation in coordination with the FBI.  The behavior, as alleged in today’s charging documents, is intolerable. The charges reflect a serious violation of the oath these officers swore to uphold, eroding at the trust the public has in this Department.  The NYPD will continue to investigate alleged wrongdoing and root out corruption wherever it might be found.”

According to the allegations in the Complaints unsealed today in Manhattan federal

court[1]:

DEAN was a member of the NYPD from 1994 through 2016, and was assigned to the License Division from 2008 through 2016.  DEAN, a Lieutenant, was one of the highest-ranking members of the License Division and, from approximately November 2014 through November 2015, regularly ran the day-to-day operations of the License Division.  ESPINEL was a member of the NYPD from 1995 through his retirement in 2016, and was assigned to the License Division from 2011 through 2016. 

From at least 2013 through 2016, DEAN, ESPINEL, Villanueva, and Police Officer Richard Ochetal solicited and accepted bribes from gun license expediters in exchange for providing assistance to the expediters’ clients in obtaining gun licenses quickly and often with little to no diligence.   They obtained bribes from at least three expediters: VALASTRO, Soohoo, and Alex Lichtenstein, a/k/a “Shaya.”  VALASTRO was a former NYPD Detective who retired in 1999, and who operated a gun store out of which he sold guns, gun paraphernalia, and gun safety courses.

The bribes included cash payments, paid vacations, food and liquor, the services of prostitutes, and free guns, among other things.  In exchange, DEAN, ESPINEL, Villanueva, and Ochetal approved, expedited, and upgraded licenses for clients of VALASTRO, Lichtenstein, and Soohoo.  They did so by forgoing standard License Division diligence, including by failing to interview the applicants and failing to investigate the business-based need for applicants to carry guns.  They approved licenses for individuals with substantial criminal histories, including arrests and convictions for crimes involving weapons or violence, and for individuals with histories of domestic violence.

In 2015, dissatisfied with the fact that expediters were profiting thousands of dollars per gun license applicant when DEAN, ESPINEL, and others did the work to approve those applications, DEAN and ESPINEL decided to retire and go into the expediting business themselves.  In order to ensure the success of their business, DEAN and ESPINEL planned to bribe Villanueva, Ochetal, and others still in the License Division to enable their clients to get special treatment.  They also agreed with VALASTRO to run their expediting and bribery scheme out of VALASTRO’s gun store.  According to the plan, VALASTRO would benefit from the scheme because DEAN and ESPINEL would steer successful applicants to VALASTRO’s store to buy guns.  They also tried to corner the expediting market by forcing other expediters to work through them.  DEAN and ESPINAL attempted to coerce Soohoo into sharing his expediting clients with them by threatening to use their influence in the License Division to shut down Soohoo’s expediting business if Soohoo refused to work with, and make payments to, DEAN and ESPINEL. 

*                *                *

In addition to this bribery scheme, JOHN CHAMBERS, a former Assistant District Attorney in Kings County, was arrested for a separate bribery conspiracy with Villanueva.  CHAMBERS is an attorney who represents individuals before the License Division, and who markets himself to potential clients as the “Top Firearms Licensing Attorney in NY.”  From at least 2010 through 2015, CHAMBERS gave Villanueva numerous valuable items, including tickets to sporting and entertainment events for Villanueva and his family, free dinners and lunches for Villanueva, sports memorabilia, and a wristwatch valued at approximately $8,000.

In exchange, Villanueva assisted CHAMBERS’s clients in several ways.  He ensured that renewal applications submitted by CHAMBERS’s clients, which typically take 30 to 40 days for approval, were renewed more expeditiously, sometimes as quickly as within one day.  In addition, in evaluating “incidents” – investigations to determine whether an individual’s gun license should be suspended or revoked – Villanueva expedited the investigations, and then shortened the suspension periods, for CHAMBERS’s clients.
           
Villanueva also helped CHAMBERS renew gun licenses for clients before the Pistol Section of the Nassau County Police Department, where Villanueva had contacts.  Starting in or about 2012, CHAMBERS brought his clients’ renewal applications to Villanueva at One Police Plaza, and Villanueva mailed those applications to the Pistol Section using his NYPD License Division stationery.  Villanueva did so knowing that because he was submitting the renewal applications using his NYPD License Division stationery, the renewals would be approved in a significantly faster time for CHAMBERS’s clients than for other applicants.  In exchange, CHAMBERS paid Villanueva several times in cash, as well as with tickets to sporting and entertainment events for Villanueva and his family.  CHAMBERS typically mailed Villanueva the cash by taping it to the inside of a magazine.      

*                *                *

DEAN, 44, who resides in Wantagh, New York, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, each of which carries a maximum term of five years in prison, and one count of extortion, which carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison.

ESPINEL, 47, who resides in Seaford, New York, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, each of which carries a maximum term of five years in prison, and one count of extortion, which carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison.

VALASTRO, 58, who resides in Queens, New York, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, each of which carries a maximum term of five years in prison, and one count of making false statements, which also carries a maximum term of five years in prison.

CHAMBERS, 62, who resides in Manhattan, New York, has been charged with one count of bribery, which carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, which carries a maximum term of five years in prison.

Villanueva, 43, pled guilty in February 2017 to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, four counts of bribery, and one count of making false statements.

Soohoo, 55, pled guilty in October 2016 to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, one count of bribery, one count of making false statements, and one count of mail fraud."

John Chambers boasts on his website....

"The practice of gun law is exceedingly complex and tedious. Without proper representation a seemingly minor problem can lead to potentially severe consequences. Hiring a good gun licensing lawyer is therefore a crucial investment.

We appreciate that when you hire us to handle your firearms licensing case, you are trusting us to help you with any issue or problem which may arise. Or, to simply help you through the maze that is the licensing process itself."

John Chambers found an easy way to make money and now I am sure he feels the pressure of a ton of bricks hitting his head. What was he thinking, that he can keep bribing police officers and get away with it? The wheels of justice  turn slowly but eventually, it catches up.  See Koheles 8:11. 

His web page reminds of James Bond. However, this is not the movies. This is reality.

What can he expect in federal prison? How much time is he facing? It all depends on how much money he
allegedly made off his scam. Its all about the money. I can tell you one thing, if he goes to trial and loses, he will get pounded by the Judge.

To see what they can expect in federal prison if these individuals go to prison, go here.....https://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons/dp/1520483988 

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Indian Charged with Insider Trading

According to the feds..".Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that AVANEESH KRISHNAMOORTHY, who works as a vice president and risk management specialist for a Manhattan-based investment bank (the “Investment Bank”), was arrested this morning and charged with insider trading. KRISHNAMOORTHY made approximately $48,000 in connection with stock and options trading based on material nonpublic information he misappropriated from the Investment Bank and its parent company (the “Company”), about a private equity fund’s potential acquisition of a publicly traded company.

KRISHNAMOORTHY was presented today in Manhattan federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin Nathaniel Fox.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Avaneesh Krishnamoorthy is charged with violating his duty to his company and trading on insider information. He allegedly exploited his access to information about a pending acquisition to purchase stock and options, making tens of thousands of dollars in illegal profit for himself. This Office remains committed to enforcing the nation’s securities laws to protect the fairness and integrity of the markets.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “When one has access to material nonpublic information, they are afforded significant knowledge that could give them a competitive edge in stock and options trading. But, as we all know, it’s illegal to use this information in furtherance of personal gain. As alleged today, Krishnamoorthy ignored these rules, using the information at his fingertips to his advantage, and made personal profits in the tens of thousands. The FBI and our partners will continue to investigate and prosecute those who cheat the system in this way.”

According to the Complaint filed today Manhattan federal court[1]:

As a vice president and risk management specialist, KRISHNAMOORTHY had access to material nonpublic information concerning mergers and acquisitions for which the Investment Bank might potentially provide financing. In November 2016, a private equity fund (the “Fund”) contacted the Investment Bank concerning financing for the Fund’s acquisition of Neustar, Inc. (“Neustar”), a publicly traded company whose shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Around that time, KRISHNAMOORTHY received multiple emails regarding the Investment Bank’s potential involvement in the transaction, including emails that summarized the details of the deal. In violation of the Company’s policies and in breach of his duties to the Company, KRISHNAMOORTHY used this material nonpublic information to acquire Neustar stock and options. In the days and weeks after receiving the emails, and prior to the public announcement of the Fund’s acquisition of Neustar, KRISHNAMOORTHY purchased numerous Neustar call options and shares of Neustar stock. Purchases of Neustar securities took place in brokerage accounts held in the names of both KRISHNAMOORTHY and his spouse. Contrary to the policies of the Company, KRISHANMOORTHY did not reveal these trades or the existence of these brokerage accounts to the Company.

The public announcement of the Fund’s acquisition of Neustar on December 14, 2016, resulted in an approximately 20 percent increase in the value of Neustar stock in the hours following the announcement, resulting in a corresponding increase in the value of the call options and equity stock held by KRISHNAMOORTHY and his spouse. As a result of the insider trading alleged in the Complaint, KRISHNAMOORTHY generated at least $48,000 in profits.

* * *

KRISHNAMOORTHY is charged with one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $5 million, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised the investigative work of the FBI and thanked the SEC, which has filed civil charges in a separate action. He added that the FBI’s investigation is ongoing."

What was Mr. Krishnamoorthy thinking, that he would never get caught? Obviously not. Lucky for  him he only stole $48,000. For that amount and if he takes a plea, he may get probation. I dont think he would sit a long time or any time if he takes a plea. 

To see what to expect in federal prison, go here...

https://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons-ebook/dp/B011GTWLOG

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Pilot sent to Prison

According to the feds...." An Irvine man who admitted that he illegally piloted private jet airplanes with passengers onboard without having a valid pilot’s license was sentenced today to 10 months in federal prison.

         Arnold Gerald Leto III, 37, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer, who also ordered the defendant to pay a $5,500 fine.

         Leto pleaded guilty in October to two counts of operating an aircraft without a valid airman’s certificate.

         According to court documents, Leto operated aircraft with passengers on a number of occasions without the proper authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration. In January 2015, Leto piloted a Cessna Citation turbojet-powered aircraft, with paying passengers, from Santa Monica to Phoenix prior to receiving any type of airman’s certificate for turbojet-powered aircraft.

         The following month, Leto obtained an airman’s certificate that authorized him to be a second-in-command pilot on a Cessna Citation turbojet-powered aircraft, but he continued to operate the Cessna citation as a sole pilot with passengers. For example, in April 2015, he piloted a Cessna Citation from Burbank to Bermuda Dunes and from Santa Monica to Bentonville, Arkansas.

         Furthermore, on April 8, 2016, Leto was the sole pilot of a Falcon 10 turbojet-powered aircraft, with passengers on board, that flew from Van Nuys to Las Vegas, Nevada. At this time, Leto was not certified to fly the Falcon 10, and the FAA had revoked all of his airman certificates.

         This case was investigated by the Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General, with assistance by the Federal Aviation Administration."

Why would a talented person do such a dumb thing? Well things happen in life. Lucky for the people, nobody got hurt and lucky for the pilot who will only be grounded for 10 months.

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Lawyer Jailed for stealing escrow funds

former Attorney David Frankel, soon to be state inmate

A long Island lawyer received a state prison term of 3 to 9 years. David Frankel received his prison sentence this week. He stole 7.5 million dollars from escrow money. See story here...http://www.newsday.com/long-island/crime/da-disbarred-attorney-sentenced-for-stealing-5-7m-from-clients-1.13514279

What was he thinking that he would never get caught? Money is like a drug, eventually you think you are invincible till the handcuffs come on.

Although he will do state time, prison is prison. To see what he can expect, go here....https://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons-ebook/dp/B011GTWLOG

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https://www.amazon.com/Prison-Diaries-Life-MDC-Brooklyn-ebook/dp/B06XL18YS5

Prison Diaries

I wrote these diaries while I was in prison. I took thousands of notes and I am now typing my illegible notes and posting them on amazon.com.

For those who want to read about it, feel it, taste it , smell it, hear it and even cry about it. Prison diaries is for you.

https://www.amazon.com/Prison-Diaries-Life-MDC-Brooklyn-ebook/dp/B06XL18YS5

Stealing from govt piggy bank not a good idea.....

According to the feds," SAN DIEGO, CA – Owners of local construction and telecommunications companies were arraigned in federal court today on charges that they fraudulently obtained more than $11 million in federal contracts specifically set aside for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.

Andrew Otero, Roger Ramsey, and their companies – A&D General Contracting, Inc. (“A&D”) and Action Telecom, Inc. (“Action”) – were named in a fourteen-count indictment returned April 7 by a federal grand jury in San Diego.

The indictment alleges that the defendants participated in a conspiracy to defraud the government by forming a joint venture – Action-A&D, A Joint Venture (“the JV”) – and falsely representing that Action and the JV qualified as service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (“SDVOSB”). Based on the false claim to SDVOSB eligibility, the conspirators fraudulently obtained approximately $11 million in federal government construction contracts or task orders with the Department of Veteran Affairs (“VA”) and the Army Corps of Engineers (“ACE”).

According to the indictment, the fraudulent conspiracy involved set-aside contracts that could only be bid upon by legitimate service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses – a designation that did not apply to Otero or A&D. To appear qualified, Otero (on behalf of A&D) and Ramsey (on behalf of Action) initially executed an agreement to create the JV (“the JV Agreement”), which stated that Ramsey’s company (Action) would be the managing venturer, employ a project manager for each of the set-aside contracts, and receive the majority of the JV’s profits.

However, six months later, Otero and Ramsey signed a secret side agreement that made clear the JV was ineligible under the SDVOSB program. For example, the side agreement said the parties created the JV so that A&D could simply “use the Disabled Veteran Status of Action Telecom” to bid on contracts. The side agreement also stated that A&D – not Action – would run the construction jobs. They also agreed that “A&D will keep 98% of every payment; Action Telecom will receive 2% of every payment.”

In addition to the secret side agreement, the indictment describes a variety of ways in which the JV did not operate as a legitimate SDVOSB, but was essentially controlled by Otero and A&D. For example, although Ramsey (a service-disabled veteran) nominally served as president of Action and the JV, he actually worked full-time for another telecommunications company. Otero and A&D, not Ramsey, controlled the day-to-day management, daily operation and long-term decision making of the JV. Among other things, Otero and A&D appointed an A&D employee as the project manager for every contract and task order. Consistent with their side agreement, Action received just a small fee for using Rasmey’s status as a disabled veteran.

The indictment also alleges several examples of the conspirators deceiving government agencies about the true nature of the JV. For example, on two separate occasions, A&D submitted the JV Agreement to (and withheld the side agreement from) the government in response to requests for information about the joint venture – despite the fact that the side agreement said on its face that it superseded the original JV Agreement.

Today’s indictment cites three contracts or task orders which the VA or ACE awarded to the JV, each worth over a million dollars, and one as high as $8.2 million. In addition to the conspiracy charge, all defendants were also charged with three counts of wire fraud relating to the payment of invoices on the three contracts or task orders, and with one or more counts of major government program fraud and false statements in connection with fraudulent certifications to the government. Today’s indictment also contains forfeiture allegations, which would require the defendants to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the fraud scheme.

Acting United States Attorney Robinson said “One important way in which our country tries to repay the debt of gratitude we owe to our veterans is by setting aside some government contracts for those who have been disabled during their service. But unscrupulous contractors have abused this program through ‘rent-a-vet’ schemes, such as the one described in today’s indictment. The Department of Justice will work to ensure that criminals who abuse important contracting programs such as the SDVOSB are held to account.”

Rebeccalynn L. Staples, Resident Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, San Diego Resident Agency, stated, “This investigation demonstrates the OIG’s continued commitment to aggressively pursue individuals and companies that misrepresent themselves as Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and deny legitimate disabled veterans the opportunity to be awarded VA set-aside contracts. The VA OIG will continue to work these cases in order to protect the integrity of the program. I urge anyone with knowledge of such an ongoing fraud to call the VA OIG’s Hotline at 1-800-488-8244.”

The lesson from this story is not to cheat the feds. For a 11 million theft, the perpetrators can see up to a decade in jail, according to my experience of tracking cases like this. Of course, the government will work with other co defendants to testify against the masterminds and the ones who cooperate will get reduced sentences. 

To see what they can expect in federal prison, go here...https://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons-ebook/dp/B011GTWLOG

for paperback version 

https://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons/dp/1520483988

H-2 B visa fraudster sentenced to

According to the feds...."SHAWN ANDERSON, Acting United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant ANTONIA BAUTISTA (age 60) was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood to two years probation and a $100 special assessment fee, for Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud.

          BAUTISTA was part of a conspiracy involving Guam Construction Company (GCC), its president and vice-president, Byong H. Kang and Choon H. Kang, respectively. On April 4, 2014, an Information was filed against BAUTISTA charging Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud by intentionally misrepresenting occupations of H-2B workers in an effort to facilitate fraudulently obtaining H-2B visas. After the H-2B workers arrived in Guam, BAUTISTA, GCC’s office manager and corporate secretary, assisted the Kangs and caused GCC to employ the H-2B workers in skilled occupations not authorized on their H-2B visas, as electricians, engineers, heavy equipment operators and others.

BAUTISTA pled guilty on April 4, 2014.

          This investigation was a joint effort between both local and federal law enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Section, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division working together with Guam Department of Labor and Guam Customs & Quarantine Agency task force officers. Jointly, they investigated not only visa fraud and a sophisticated money laundering scheme, but those who fraudulently obtain federal contracts, and do not pay fair wages."

This is up my alley since I went to jail for immigration fraud. Lucky for this guy, he avoided jail time.

To see what federal prison is all about, go here...

print version

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download version

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Govt cracks this chiropractor with 33 months prisons sentence

According to the feds, "Acting United States Attorney Gregory G. Brooker today announced the sentencing of DONALD GIBSON, 61, to 33 months in prison for tax evasion and for presenting a fake financial instrument to the U.S. Department of Treasury. GIBSON was convicted on December 2, 2016, following a five-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minn.

As proven at trial, GIBSON failed to file his 2004 through 2014 individual income tax returns and attempted to evade his income tax liabilities for these years by diverting money to a warehouse bank called MYICIS, cashing over $800,000 in business checks at a check-cashing facility, and submitting fake money orders and bogus financial instruments to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). GIBSON also formed Sovereign Christian Mission (SCM), a purported religious organization, as a way to further hide his chiropractic income and pay for his personal expenses. GIBSON used SCM to pay for his groceries, entertainment, dinners, and car repairs. Evidence presented at trial established that while the IRS was auditing his tax returns, and later during the criminal investigation, GIBSON presented a fake financial instrument purporting to be worth $300 million to the IRS and claimed that it paid off his income tax liabilities.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division."

What was this guy thinking, that he would never get caught and fool the government ? The story seems hard to believe. 

To see what he can expect in prison, go here...https://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons-ebook/dp/B011GTWLOG

print version below

https://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons/dp/1520483988

 

Ex NYPD Sergeant gets 28 year prison sentence

Former NYPD Alberto Randazzo in the Federal Courthouse,  

Alberto Randazzo, former NYPD sergeant was slammed with a 28 year prison sentence for sexual abuse of children. See story here...http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ex-nypd-sergeant-28-years-sexual-abuse-children-article-1.3075612

This story hits me since I was his bunkie while waiting to be transferred from MDC Brooklyn to Otisville back in 2014. At the time, he had a girl friend who used to visit him and he was hoping to start a new life with her.

He did not seem depraved to me. I guess looks are deceiving.

To see what he can expect in federal prison, go here...https://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons/dp/1520483988

https://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons-ebook/dp/B011GTWLOG

Pakistani Man Pleads guilty in diploma mill scam

According to the feds, "Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that UMAIR HAMID, a/k/a “Shah Khan,” a/k/a the “Shah,” pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with an international “diploma mill” scheme that collected tens of millions of dollars from thousands of customers.  As alleged in the Indictment to which HAMID pled guilty and the related criminal Complaint, HAMID and his co-conspirators made false and fraudulent representations to consumers on websites and over the phone to trick them into enrolling in purported colleges and high schools, and issued fake diplomas upon receipt of upfront fees from consumers.  

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Operating from Pakistan, Umair Hamid helped fraudulently rake in millions of dollars from unwitting American consumers who paid to enroll in, and get degrees from, high schools and colleges that did not exist. As a result of his fraud, people who thought they were investing in an education received nothing more than worthless diplomas and a harsh lesson in the worldwide reach of deceit. Together with our partners at the FBI and the Postal Service, we will continue to work to protect consumers from scams that victimize our citizens.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and the Complaint against HAMID, as well as other court filings in this matter:

The Axact Scheme

HAMID, using the aliases “Shah Khan” and the “Shah,” and others operated a massive education “diploma mill” through the Pakistani company “Axact,” which has described itself as one of the world’s leading information technology (“IT”) providers.  Working on behalf of Axact, HAMID and others made misrepresentations to individuals across the world, including throughout the United States and in the Southern District of New York, in order to dupe these individuals into enrolling in supposed high schools, colleges, and other educational institutions.  Consumers paid upfront fees to HAMID and his co-conspirators, believing that in return they would be enrolled in real educational courses and, eventually, receive legitimate degrees.  Instead, after paying the upfront fees, consumers did not receive any legitimate instruction and were provided fake and worthless diplomas. 

Axact promoted and claimed to have an affiliation with approximately 350 fictitious high schools and universities, which Axact advertised online to consumers as genuine schools.  During certain time periods since 2014, Axact received approximately 5,000 phone calls per day from individuals seeking to purchase Axact products or enroll in educational institutions supposedly affiliated with Axact.  At least some of those consumers appeared to believe that they were calling phone numbers associated with the respective schools.  When consumers asked where the schools were located, sales representatives were instructed to give fictitious addresses. 

Once a consumer paid for a school certificate or diploma that falsely reflected a completed course of study, Axact sales agents were trained to use sales techniques to persuade the consumer to purchase additional “accreditation” or “certifications” for such certificates or diplomas in order to make them appear more legitimate.  Axact, through HAMID and his co-conspirators, falsely “accredited” purported colleges and other educational institutions by arranging to have diplomas from these phony educational institutions affixed with fake stamps supposedly bearing the seal and signature of the U.S. Secretary of State, as well as various state agencies and federal and state officials. 

HAMID’s Role in the Scheme

HAMID served as Axact’s “Assistant Vice President of International Relations.”  Among other things, HAMID made various false and fraudulent representations to consumers in order to sell fake diplomas.  HAMID controlled websites of purported “schools” that (1) falsely represented that consumers who “enrolled” with the schools by paying tuition fees would receive online instruction and coursework, (2) sold bogus academic “accreditations” in exchange for additional fees, (3) falsely represented that the schools had been certified or accredited by various educational organizations, and (4) falsely represented that the schools’ degrees were valid and accepted by employers, including in the United States. 

As a further part of the scheme, HAMID and a co-conspirator (1) opened bank accounts in the United States in the names of shell entities, effectively controlled by HAMID, that received funds transferred by consumers in exchange for fake diplomas, (2) transferred funds from those bank accounts to bank accounts associated with other entities located elsewhere in the United States and abroad, at the direction of HAMID, and (3) opened and operated an account to collect and distribute consumer funds obtained in connection with their fraudulent scheme.

In May 2015, Axact was shut down by Pakistani law enforcement, and certain individuals associated with Axact were prosecuted in Pakistan.  Nevertheless, after May 2015, HAMID resumed his fraudulent business of selling fake diplomas to consumers in the United States for upfront fees based upon false and fraudulent representations.  Most recently, HAMID traveled to the United States in 2016 in order to open a bank account used to collect money from defrauded consumers.

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HAMID, 31, of Karachi, Pakistan, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.  HAMID is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Abrams on July 21, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. 

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

If you believe you were a victim of this crime, including a victim entitled to restitution, and you wish to provide information to law enforcement and/or receive notice of future developments in the case or additional information, please contact the Victim/Witness Unit at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, at (866) 874-8900.  For additional information, go to http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nys/victimwitness.html."

His mistake was coming to USA to open a bank account. The story does not say but I believe this is how they caught him.

to see what he can expect in federal prison..go here...https://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons-ebook/dp/B011GTWLOG

https://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons/dp/1520483988

Ten Southern Russians arrested in diamond theft scams

Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Leon Hayward, Acting Director of the New York Field Office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the arrests of GODEL SEZANAYEV a/k/a “Gary,” MARK MULLAKANDOV, ALBERT FOOZAILOV, IMANIL MURATOV a/k/a “Eddy,” MANASHE SEZANAYEV a/k/a “Michael,” NATHAN ITZCHAKI, ARKADIY ISRAILOV, ALI JAVIDNEZHAD, MARK NATANZON, SHOLOM MURATOV, MENACHEM ABRAMOV, and NIZAMUDEN AKBARI for their role in fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars in virtually untraceable diamonds from victim wholesalers.  Ten of the defendants were arrested this morning and will be presented this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew J. Peck in Manhattan federal court.  JAVIDNEZHAD and AKBARI remain at large.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “The twelve charged defendants allegedly participated in a global conspiracy to defraud diamond dealers out of more than $9 million. Centered in Manhattan’s diamond district, America’s busiest hub in the diamond trade, the defendants allegedly took advantage of an industrywide system of credit and trust to obtain largely untraceable diamonds, and then, using various allegedly illegal schemes, refused to pay. We commend our law enforcement partners for their work in shutting this alleged criminal scheme down for good.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Diamonds have value worldwide so it comes as no surprise that an alleged organized ring would target diamond wholesalers in Manhattan's diamond district in a worldwide scheme. Using everything from forged documents to bad checks and tall tales, the group allegedly swindled more than $9 million from victim wholesalers. The FBI-NYPD-CBP Joint Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force is committed to rooting out organized crime groups- big or small-wherever we find them operating I want to commend the FBI agents, NYPD detectives, and CBP officers on their hard work and collaboration in bringing this investigation towards prosecution.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “As alleged, these defendants bought nine million in untraceable diamonds with bad checks, forged documents, and long stories to perpetuate their scheme. I want to thank the NYPD detectives, the FBI, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District for their efforts to bring these defendants to justice.”

Acting CBP NY Field Office Director Leon Hayward said:  “U.S. Customs and Border Protection is proud of the expertise we bring to support and assist investigations that result in the takedown of criminal enterprises. It is through interagency partnerships and collaborative efforts, like the one leading to today’s arrests, that law enforcement successfully combats today’s criminal organizations.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

Since in or about 2015, the FBI has been investigating a series of predatory frauds perpetrated by a group of diamond merchants in New York City. This group swindles diamond wholesalers in a variety of ways, and then resells the ill-gotten diamonds through Manhattan’s diamond district.  In order to avoid detection, the group focuses on obtaining small round stones called melee diamonds, which are virtually untraceable, as they do not bear the unique numerical identifiers common on larger stones.

The group uses a variety of methods to defraud its victims, including bad checks, false references, forged documents, and tall tales—all to convince its victims to part with their diamonds before receiving payment.  The group’s most common technique is the “bust out”: first the group builds up credit and trust with a victim by paying for goods on delivery, and then, at the moment of maximum credit, the group walks away with the millions of dollars in diamonds, leaving the victim high and dry.

Once victims begin to realize their predicament, and begin to insist on payment, members of the group refuse and, instead, inform the wholesalers that their diamonds have been lost, or that another customer took the victim’s diamonds and has refused to pay, or that a different member of the group will repay the victim at some point in the future.  Members of the group have even conditioned payment on the victim’s willingness to assist the group in still another fraud.

Among the schemes described in the Complaint:

From at least January 2015 to November 2016, GODEL SEZANAYEV a/k/a “Gary”, ALBERT FOOZAILOV, IMANIL MURATOV a/k/a “Eddy,” MANASHE SEZANAYEV a/k/a “Michael,” and ALI JAVIDNEZHAD deployed an ad hoc strategy to obtain as much of the diamond inventory of a wholesaler (“Victim-1”) as possible without full payment. The defendants’ scheme caused Victim-1 in excess of $2.4 million in losses.

In or about May 2015, GODEL SEZANAYEV a/k/a “Gary,” ARKADIY ISRAILOV, and NIZAMUDEN AKBARI conspired to defraud a jewelry merchant at a Las Vegas trade show.

From in or about December 2015 to December 2016, ALBERT FOOZAILOV, NATHAN ITZCHAKI, MARK MULLAKANDOV, MARK NATANZON, MENCHAM ABRAMOV, and SHOLOM MURATOV induced numerous victims in Mumbai, India (“Victim-2,” “Victim-3,” “Victim-4,” and “Victim-5”) to send diamonds by interstate carrier by purporting to agree to payment terms that they had no intention to, and did not, honor. The defendants caused these victims losses in excess of $7.44 million.

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GODEL SEZANAYEV a/k/a “Gary,” 40, ALBERT FOOZAILOV, 53, IMANIL MURATOV a/k/a “Eddy,” 60, MANASHE SEZANAYEV a/k/a “Michael,” 34, ALI JAVIDNEZHAD, 51, ARKADIY ISRAILOV, 38, and NIZAMUDEN AKBARI, 56, are each charged with conspiring to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. FOOZAILOV, NATHAN ITZCHAKI, 58, MARK MULLAKANDOV, 41, MARK NATANZON, 68, MENCHAM ABRAMOV, 31, and SHOLOM MURATOV, 35, are charged with conspiring to commit mail fraud, which also carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

How much time will these thieves receive? it all depends on who is cooperating and who is taking a plea. The ringleader or master mind will always do more time. Some, I assume, will end up in the camp at Otisville and enjoy Sabbath meals as some of the names are very Russian Jewish. They thought they would never get caught. But all frauds and scams eventually come to a sometimes crashing end.

To see what they can expect in prison, go here.... https://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons/dp/1520483988

https://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons-ebook/dp/B011GTWLOG 

Impostor gets 6 year prison sentence

Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Keith Barwick, the Special Agent-in-Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (“ICE”) Office of Professional Responsibility (“OPR”) Northeast, and Angel M. Melendez, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced that JUAN ANTHONY NIEVES was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel to six years in prison for impersonating a federal immigration official to defraud victims in New York and Connecticut. 

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “Juan Nieves exploited vulnerable immigrants working toward U.S. citizenship by posing as a federal immigration officer, charging his victims fraudulent fees while providing no assistance.  Nieves not only defrauded his victims of money but also undermined their trust in the immigration system.  Today’s significant sentence is a clear message that this outrageous behavior will not be tolerated.”

OPR Special Agent-in-Charge Keith Barwick said: “This case identified an illegal scheme to extort victims—impersonating a U.S. Department of Homeland Security official undermines the confidence people have in their government and in law enforcement.  We are committed to aggressively pursue impersonation cases. Having people come forward to report such schemes is crucial to deterring this type of fraud and preventing others from becoming victims.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “This law enforcement impersonator demanded thousands of dollars in fees by preying on members of his own community.  The imitation of officers is not only illegal, but it also perpetuates a fear and panic within our city. The sentencing of Nieves demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to locating and prosecuting these criminals so they can face the consequences of their actions.”

According to the Complaint and Information filed in White Plains federal court, as well as statements made in connection with the plea and sentencing proceedings:

NIEVES is not, and never has been, employed by the Department of Homeland Security.  But in March 2015 and from November to December 2015, in Orange County, New York, and Hartford County, Connecticut, NIEVES posed as a federal immigration officer capable of providing assistance in the immigration matters of certain victims and their family members.  NIEVES claimed that he was a “boss” or “chief” (“jefe” in Spanish) with United States Immigration; that he worked at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan and had numerous employees working for him; and that he signed the final paperwork that permits an individual to enter the United States or orders an individual to be deported.

NIEVES offered to help the victims and their family members with their immigration paperwork and in return demanded and received thousands of dollars in so-called fees.  In connection with this purported help, NIEVES received from the victims and their family members legitimate immigration paperwork that they had completed, and he also took photos or made copies of their identification documents.  NIEVES also engaged in a charade of purporting to contact, in the victims’ presence, one or more individuals who worked for him at U.S. Customs and Immigration Services to do certain work related to the victims’ applications.

To see what he can expect in federal prison, go here....https://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons-ebook/dp/B011GTWLOG

Immigration Official imposter sentenced to 6 years prison

Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Keith Barwick, the Special Agent-in-Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (“ICE”) Office of Professional Responsibility (“OPR”) Northeast, and Angel M. Melendez, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced that JUAN ANTHONY NIEVES was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel to six years in prison for impersonating a federal immigration official to defraud victims in New York and Connecticut. 

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “Juan Nieves exploited vulnerable immigrants working toward U.S. citizenship by posing as a federal immigration officer, charging his victims fraudulent fees while providing no assistance.  Nieves not only defrauded his victims of money but also undermined their trust in the immigration system.  Today’s significant sentence is a clear message that this outrageous behavior will not be tolerated.”

According to the feds, OPR Special Agent-in-Charge Keith Barwick said: “This case identified an illegal scheme to extort victims—impersonating a U.S. Department of Homeland Security official undermines the confidence people have in their government and in law enforcement.  We are committed to aggressively pursue impersonation cases. Having people come forward to report such schemes is crucial to deterring this type of fraud and preventing others from becoming victims.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “This law enforcement impersonator demanded thousands of dollars in fees by preying on members of his own community.  The imitation of officers is not only illegal, but it also perpetuates a fear and panic within our city. The sentencing of Nieves demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to locating and prosecuting these criminals so they can face the consequences of their actions.”

According to the Complaint and Information filed in White Plains federal court, as well as statements made in connection with the plea and sentencing proceedings:

NIEVES is not, and never has been, employed by the Department of Homeland Security.  But in March 2015 and from November to December 2015, in Orange County, New York, and Hartford County, Connecticut, NIEVES posed as a federal immigration officer capable of providing assistance in the immigration matters of certain victims and their family members.  NIEVES claimed that he was a “boss” or “chief” (“jefe” in Spanish) with United States Immigration; that he worked at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan and had numerous employees working for him; and that he signed the final paperwork that permits an individual to enter the United States or orders an individual to be deported.

NIEVES offered to help the victims and their family members with their immigration paperwork and in return demanded and received thousands of dollars in so-called fees.  In connection with this purported help, NIEVES received from the victims and their family members legitimate immigration paperwork that they had completed, and he also took photos or made copies of their identification documents.  NIEVES also engaged in a charade of purporting to contact, in the victims’ presence, one or more individuals who worked for him at U.S. Customs and Immigration Services to do certain work related to the victims’ applications.

In addition to the prison sentence, NIEVES, 49, of Manhattan, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.  Judge Seibel also ordered NIEVES to forfeit $15,080 in ill-gotten gains and to pay $15,080 in restitution.

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