Police continue to investigate after 29-year-old New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd suffered two gunshot wounds to the abdomen at around 2 A.M. on Sunday, November 15th.

According to reports, the football player was enjoying a meal with two other Gang Green players at Sei Less, an Asian-fusion restaurant. Patrons of this restaurant confirmed that there are often several celebrities who visit the eatery, so it wasn’t too out of the ordinary that Boyd and other football players chose the spot.

Unfortunately, sources say that Boyd could feel that the “vibe” inside Sei Less was “off.” One of the main things making Boyd and his friends feel uncomfortable was that several other large groups inside the eatery were verbally arguing with each other. Due to the uncomfortable situation, Boyd and his friends decided to leave.

Upon exiting the building, Boyd and his friends became engulfed by a giant crowd. The streets were packed, and suddenly, two gunshots rang out. It remains unclear whether Boyd was the shooter’s intended target or not, but he was critically wounded in the attack.

Investigators later obtained security footage of the incident. The video clearly shows a vehicle with Michigan plates rushing out of a parking garage and then slamming into a barrier. That’s when a passenger inside of the vehicle started opening fire on the crowd. A second car also followed the first vehicle through the barrier before both cars fled.

One thing that has had an impact on the investigation is Sei Less’s unwillingness to cooperate with police. The restaurant has been unwilling to share security footage with the authorities, but they also have good reason for not doing so. Since so many high-profile individuals often eat at the restaurant, it’s Sei Less’s duty to ensure that their privacy remains a priority.

While the gunshot wound left Boyd in critical condition, he is regaining stability. Boyd was already on the Jets’ injured reserve after getting a shoulder injury pre-season, so it’s unlikely that this recent incident will impact future games.

Discharging a Firearm in Public in NYC

Anyone who frequents the streets of New York City knows how crowded it can quickly get, even at 2 A.M. on a Sunday. That said, it’s always dangerous (and a crime) to discharge a firearm in public, unless it’s for self-defense purposes. Discharging a firearm in public can be levied as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances.

A misdemeanor charge, which is typically used when no injuries happen and no one is endangered, will result in a sentence of up to one year in jail and fines of up to $1,000.

Willfully discharging a firearm at a vehicle, object, or area that puts another person at risk is a serious felony. This crime is punishable by up to seven years in prison and fines of up to $5,000.

When injuries occur, the situation can escalate even further. That said, it’s always best to hire a lawyer if you find yourself charged with a firearms-related crime. Schedule a free call with our legal team now by leaving your contact details on our online form.

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RFK Jr. and his campaign are facing multiple lawsuits across several states, including New York, after he was accused of committing fraud and accepting signatures that were collected using deceptive tactics in order to get his name on the ballot.

Back in April, reports started to emerge that some people may have been signing petitions to get Kennedy on the ballot without actually knowing or understanding which candidate they were supporting. These reports seemed to carry some weight when Kennedy and his staff began taking action to investigate these claims.

Reports suggest that just one day after an article was published in the New York Times about the potential fraud, Kennedy’s campaign manager stated in an e-mail that certain petitions gathered by a contractor were questionable and shouldn’t be used.

According to court reports, a subcontractor working for Kennedy’s campaign has been accused of using several different manipulative tactics to collect signatures for RFK Jr. One common method they used was folding down some petition sheets in a way where Kennedy and his vice presidential running mate’s names were concealed. That way, when the paper was presented, some signers could only see electors on the paper that weren’t very recognizable. According to the court, this could’ve led some people to sign the petition without realizing it had anything to do with RFK Jr.

Recent court proceedings revealed that the campaign discovered at least 800 pages with visible creases where they’d been folded over by the subcontractor. These pages allegedly contained over 8,000 signatures. In testimony to the court, Kennedy acknowledged that these pages were not officially submitted but were instead placed in boxes labeled “fraud boxes”.

RFK Jr.’s campaign reportedly sued the subcontractor since they paid them to gather signatures and they received ones that were unusable. Despite that, testimony in the recent court case revealed that the campaign still submitted at least 12,000 signatures from the subcontractor even after discovering some of them could be fraudulent.

Voter Fraud in 2024

Voter fraud is an extremely serious issue in 2024, so it’s imperative that you stay far away from any actions that could be considered fraudulent, misrepresentation, or any other type of misdeed when it comes to voting. If you do get accused of committing voter fraud or a similar crime, then you need to hire legal representation as soon as possible.

In light of the events surrounding the election in 2020, tensions around voting are extremely high. Any wrongdoing is sure to be penalized to the fullest, since election integrity is more important than ever. In New York, voter fraud could result in a sentence of up to five years behind bars.

The best way to prevent this type of sentence is to avoid a conviction altogether. Hiring the right attorney will help you determine your best path forward.

Schedule a consultation with our team of qualified lawyers now to learn more about how we can help you navigate your recent charges.

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On November 22nd, a jury delivered a guilty plea to Dr. Pyaam Toobian and his company, America’s Imaging Center, Inc. The charges against the doctor and company included multiple felony charges related to medical misconduct. The group is accused of participating in a fraudulent kickback scheme.

Dr. Toobain has been convicted of third degree grand larceny, third degree health care fraud, violating social services law statutes, and first degree falsifying of business records.

According to court records, an investigation into the company began back in January 2006. The investigation was prompted when it was alleged that Dr. Toobin was paying two physicians in gift cards and cash in exchange for referring patients to his business for treatment.

During the years-long case, investigators discovered that Toobin was directing his employees to add unordered radiological procedures that were not necessary for patients. The goal of doing this was to increase the patient’s bill fraudulently and increase the payments the company would receive from Medicaid insurance. Toobin reportedly continued to commit this scheme from January of 2014 to August of 2017. He reportedly charged extra for unnecessary procedures like invasive injections, MRIs of the brain, and MRI scans of the cervical spine. All of these unnecessary tests were ordered without the knowledge of physicians who were referring patients to the clinic.

Unfortunately, this case revealed how some doctors are not prioritizing patient health but instead attempting to upcharge insurance companies to keep their businesses going.

Medicaid Fraud: Is it Really That Serious?

Some people believe Medicaid fraud isn’t that serious, but the consequences of this type of behavior from a medical professional can be significant. This type of medical fraud causes a patient undue harm.

Third-degree grand larceny, one of the crimes Dr. Toobin was convicted of, is a class D felony in New York. It commonly leads to a prison sentence of up to seven years. Third degree health care fraud is also a class D felony. It can result in a prison sentence of up to seven years. First degree falsifying of business records is a class E felony and carries a sentence of up to four years in prison.

While each of these crimes on their own is very serious, getting convicted of three felonies at once is a big deal. The severity of the convicted individual’s sentence will increase with each additional charge.

Have you recently been charged with healthcare fraud, Medicaid fraud, grand larceny, or a similar crime? Are you in New York or a nearby city? If so, then our qualified attorneys are prepared to help you determine your best legal strategy to navigate your charges. We’ll listen to the facts of your case, inform you about the potential defense strategies that might apply in your situation, and help you build a solid defense.

Are you ready to get started? Schedule a meeting with our firm now to learn more about how our criminal defense team can help you navigate your situation.

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On September 6, 2022, Steve Bannon was formally indicted by the state of New York. This recent indictment comes just months after getting officially convicted in July on charges of contempt related to the Jan. 6 insurrection investigation. He is expected to turn himself over into police custody on September 8th.

The charges against Bannon are related to an earlier case where federal officials attempted to convict him of defrauding donors who provided money to build a US border wall. According to officials, Bannon was never formally convicted in the former case because it ended abruptly when former President Trump decided to pardon Bannon before the trial even started.

The investigation into the ordeal, however, never stopped. Federal agents believe that Bannon personally pocketed over $1 million in profits that should’ve gone towards building the border wall.

Bannon wasn’t the only individual that federal agents believe profited off of the “We Build the Wall” project, either. Two other individuals involved in the scheme pleaded guilty to similar charges earlier in April. Although President Trump did pardon Bannon’s federal case, he did not have the authority to pardon any state charges.

A statement provided by Bannon’s legal advisor suggests that his team believes the charges are “phony” and conveniently timed just weeks before the midterm elections. Bannon, who hosts a radio show popular amongst Republicans, was also arrested just months before the 2020 election, too.

Fraud Charges in New York

There’s nothing wrong with profiting off of business ventures, but it is legally considered a crime when someone makes a false statement with the intent to deceive someone else, and someone else ends up losing out by relying on that statement. When these elements are present, it’s considered fraud.

In the case above, Bannon allegedly participated in a scam where investors were told that “100%” of the donations they received would go directly towards constructing the US border wall, but he and others reportedly diverted that money towards their own personal goals.

In New York, the penalties associated with fraud hinge on the value of the fraud. If you’re getting charged with fraud, then it’s important to ask for the specifics of your charge. You could be facing a misdemeanor, which is the least severe charge, or a felony. Although both of these could lead to jail time, penalties, and fines if you get convicted, a felony is much more serious. A conviction could mean you’ll lose certain rights like the right to possess a firearm and vote.

Do You Need a Fraud Defense Attorney in NY?

Are you currently facing fraud charges in New York? It makes sense to hire the best possible defense attorney that you can in order to secure a better legal outcome in your situation. Here at Bukh Law Firm, we understand that your freedom is at risk. We’re ready to fight for you.

Request a case evaluation by leaving your contact details on our online form now.

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The height of the coronavirus pandemic put millions of Americans into financially vulnerable situations. To avoid a complete economic disaster, the government had no choice but to issue stimulus relief checks to citizens. Businesses that were floundering were also given the option of seeking out relief funds, too.

While this proved to be invaluable help for many, some individuals did take advantage of the relief funds and used them in illegal and immoral ways. One such individual, a 67-year-old Albany resident, recently pleaded guilty to obtaining over 32 different pandemic relief loans that amounted to about $1.6 million.

According to reports from the Justice Department, the suspect admitted to getting over $1.6 million from the Paycheck Protection Program between April 30, 2020 and June 11, 2021. The money, which was distributed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, was meant to help businesses stay afloat and pay employees during the crisis. Instead, they were issued to the suspect, the suspect’s family members, and even some of the suspect’s acquaintances.

The suspect obtained the money by lying on loan applications. By doing so, she committed PPP fraud.

Covid-19 Relief Fraud: What You Need to Know

Fraud might not sound too serious, but it’s taken very seriously in the state of New York and by the federal government. The accused suspect is now facing up to 20 years in prison, but the sentencing hearing won’t be held until October 6, 2022. If you’ve recently been charged with relief fraud or you’re afraid you might get arrested for it, then it’s important to understand what you’re up against.

The U.S. Justice Department is currently seeking citizens who committed relief fraud. They’ve already charged over 1,000 citizens. It’s estimated that a whopping $1.1 billion was lost due to these instances of fraud. You could get accused of relief fraud if you lied to receive relief funds from:

• The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
• The Economic Injury Disaster Loans
• Unemployment Insurance

Depending on your situation, you could also get accused of additional crimes on top of the relief fraud. For instance, if you stole an identity to get unemployment benefits, then you could face two separate charges: relief fraud and identity theft. If you get convicted, then not only will you end up suffering criminal penalties, but you’ll also be barred from getting relief funds in the future.

Are You Looking for a Criminal Defense Attorney in New York?

Did you take out Covid-19 relief money? Are you worried that you could get accused of fraud for mishandling or misusing your funds? Don’t be scared, get prepared by consulting with the best criminal defense attorney in New York about your situation. Here at Bukh Law Firm, we can help you understand whether your actions rise to the legal threshold of fraud. We can also help you determine your next steps if you’ve already been arrested or accused of committing Covid-19 relief fraud.

Are you ready to speak one-on-one with an attorney?  Contact us now to discuss your situation in more detail with our best attorneys.

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What is PPP?

The Cares Act established the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The program made nearly $650 billion in loans available to small businesses so they could pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs. The funds may also be used to pay interest on healthcare benefits, mortgages, rent, utilities, and interest on existing debt obligations. In addition to businesses, non-profits, the self-employed, and independent contractors may also be eligible.

One of the key benefits of the PPP is that the interest and principal on the loan may be entirely forgiven if the business spent the loan proceeds on appropriate items within a designated period of time, and used a certain percentage of the proceeds for payroll expenses.

PPP Fraud

PPP fraud occurs where PPP loans are fraudulently obtained or used for improper purposes. To date, the federal government has charged several persons for millions of dollars’ worth of fraudulent use.

Here’s an example, with the names changed. The following conduct is alleged, not yet proven in court. The defendant, named Wilson, recruited five businesses (defendant businesses), offering to obtain a PPP loan for them, even though they didn’t qualify for it. With Wilson’s help, the defendant businesses submitted fraudulent PPP loan applications, in which they each requested $300,000 in loans.

The applications made fraudulent statements, claiming a payroll history that did not exist. The PPP loans were approved and funds were deposited into the defendant businesses’ accounts. Each of the defendant businesses received $300,000 – for which they did not quality under Paycheck Protection Program.

Furthermore, once they received the proceeds, they used the funds for non-qualified, non-business-related, purposes. For example, they made checks out to people who did not even work for them.

For his services, Wilson received a percentage of the loan amount each defendant business received. However, FBI investigators caught up with him. He was charged with several counts of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, making false statements to a federally-insured bank, and money laundering. In addition to the criminal counts, forfeiture of hundreds of thousands of dollars was sought by federal
prosecutors.

Get Help Today

The Cares Act and the PPP are well-intentioned responses to the financial disasters that small businesses have suffered due to COVID-19. While no doubt there has been PPP fraud, the problem is that the federal government has broad overreaching investigatory and prosecutorial powers. Sometimes this means that an innocent person or business accidentally becomes entangled in a federal investigation and
is unfairly charged.

It can happen to you. Even though you have done your best, and exercised all due diligence to honestly request PPP funds, and used them in accordance with your understanding of their intended purpose, it’s possible you made a mistake.

So, if you get caught up in this web, you’ll need an experienced criminal defense lawyer to represent you. Don’t delay and get the help you need today. Contact Arkady Bukh, a nationally recognized New York criminal defense attorney.

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Federal prosecutors allege U. S. Representative Chris Collins got busy with insider trading. Collins will go to court for some type of resolution, but in the meantime his indictment peels back the curtain on what a lousy job Congress has done to guard against such crimes.

Collins, a New York Republican, allegedly shared insider information about a publicly traded stock’s value. But that isn’t all which concerns others. Collins is also a director of Innate Immunotherapeutic, a pharmaceutical company also subject to oversight by the Congressional committee on which Collins sets.

Collins isn’t the first person to be suspected of insider trading — just the latest. Four others who have been busted include Jeff Skilling, R. Foster Williams, Martha Stewart, and Ivan Boesky.

“Tiptoeing on a narrow ledge past insider trading rules may be deft and clever,” says Arkady Bukh, a New York criminal defense attorney who has successfully defended dozens of accused insider traders. “But it doesn’t make it right.”

What Is Insider Trading?

An ‘insider’ is any person who holds:

1. Access to valuable non-public information about a corporation, or
2. Ownership of a stock equaling over 10 percent of a firm’s equity.

A common myth is all insider trading is illegal. There are two ways insider trading can happen. One is illegal, the other isn’t.

Legal Insider Trading

Insiders are legally allowed to trade shares of the firm that employment. The transactions must be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are done with advance filings.

Illegal Insider Trading

The more notorious form of insider trading is the unlawful use of non-public material information for profit. This sort of trading can be done by anyone including company executives and their relatives and friends — or just an ordinary person on the street.

The SEC monitors illegal insider trading by watching the trading volumes of any particular stock. Volumes typically increase following new for the public, but when no news is issued to the public, it can be a warning flag. When that happens, the SEC investigates to find who is responsible and whether it was legal.

Proof

Proving a person has been responsible for insider trading can be difficult as traders often hide behind nominees, offshore companies and similar proxies. The SEC prosecutes more than a case a week and many are settled out of court.

Although the SEC does not have criminal enforcement powers, the agency does refer serious cases to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for possible prosecution.

Punishment

Several factors determine the punishment for insider trading. There are three criteria and depending on the jurisdiction, there may be civil or criminal penalties — or both. The three main criteria are:

• Scope
• Gain, and
• Evidence

Scope

How many people were impacted by the inside trading?

Gain

How much did the inside trade make from the transaction?

Evidence

Anyone charged is innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof falls on the prosecution and if the case lacks a ‘smoking gun,’ the prosecutor finds it harder to prove guilt.

Rules and Regulations

Insider trading statutes are founded on American common law restrictions against fraud. The U.S. Supreme Court decided in 1909, that a company director who purchased a company’s stock when he knew the stock’s price would increase perpetrated a fraud by buying the stock but not revealing his privileged information.

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Prohibitions of fraud when it comes to stock and securities sales were strengthened the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Section 16(b) prohibits short-swing profits made by company directors or officers and stockholders who own over 10% of a firm’s shares. Most of the development of insider trading prohibitions has come from court decisions.

The Takeaway

Once begun, insider trading doesn’t stop. The greed which nourishes the crime keeps growing until the branches become too heavy and the tree falls over. That’s when the SEC steps in and scrapes up the pieces. Anyone accused of insider trading should contact an experienced attorney immediately.

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Fun and games for Martin Shkreli are over. It’s impossible to say what may happen to Shkreli but everyone knows it won’t be fun. 

The smug 34-year-old who jacked-up AIDS medicine, stole from investors and called Washington DC lawmakers “imbeciles” will be spending his days sharing his new residence with vermin, limited computer access, and no social media. 

Inmate #87850-053 is unknown. The name behind the number is well-known and possibly the most hated man in America. 

Shkreli bragged once instead of going to a real jail he would enjoy “Club Fed” where he could wear white tennis short, sip ice tea and spend his evenings relaxing in front of a flatscreen television. The reality is different. 

“It’s a rough area,” said Arkady Bukh, a white-collar attorney in New York. 

Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention center is a federal jail holding about 2,000 inmates. Shkreli will be a resident until he is sentenced January 16. 

Shkreli was found guilty in August of fraud and conspiracy for lying to investors in a variety of hedge funds he managed. 

Shkreli had been free while waiting for sentencing. When Shkreli posted on social media he would pay $5000 for a single hair from Hillary Clinton, a judge revoked his $5 million bail and sent him to jail.  

Shkreli will likely mix with the other prisoners which includes gang members, drug dealers, bank robbers and other persons convicted financial crimes. 

Shkreli first became infamous in 2015 when he raised the cost of a tablet taken by AIDS sufferers from $13.50 to $750. With a grandiose character and sustained use of social networks, Shkreli has stayed in the limelight. That beacon of fame may be decreasing. Shkreli faces up to twenty-years behind bars.

Some observers believe Shkreli is not likely to get the greatest sentence. Others say the same behavior which led to bail revocation may keep him from getting a lighter sentence.  

“The judge has seen Shkreli’s behavior as violent,” said Sarah Walters, a white-collar defense lawyer in Boston. 

Larry Levine, the founder of Wall Street Prison Consultants, is a jail specialist who spent ten years across 11 federal facilities for racketeering, drug trafficking, and securities fraud. Now, Levine instructs prison-bound clients on how to survive incarceration. 

Levine says Shkreli will have his work cut out for him. 

“He’ll have to walk a fine line in dealing with inmates,” said Levine. “Shkreli will need to refrain from being arrogant and show respect.”

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While Washington is writing and re-writing Executive Orders regarding illegal immigrants, one New York woman established herself as a one-woman dating site for illegal immigrants wanting American residence.

“I apologize to the American people,” said Liana Barrientos. “I could have let people in this country who could have killed us.”

Barrientos wed ten men over 11 years as part of a green-card con, according to the NYPost.

“I deserve this due to my selfishness. I will live with this for the remainder of my life,” Barrientos told the judge when he sentenced her.

Barrientos accepted a plea bargain in July. She will spend 18 months in an outpatient alcohol and drug treatment program. If she doesn’t complete therapy, she faces up to four years in jail.

“It was stupid,” Barrientos said. “The father of my son was behind bars. When a man offered me $10,000 to get married, that was easier than pole dancing.”

Barrientos’ serial-marriages started in 1999. She committed serial matrimony with six men prior to her first husband, Mohamed Gebril, filing for divorce in 2002. Barrientos went on to get married five more times that year according to law enforcement authorities.

Barrientos couldn’t remember the aliases of all her spouses.

“I don’t recall marrying any except Vakhtang Dzneladze and Salle Keital,” she told detectives in 2015. Dzneladze was husband number seven while Keita was number 10.

At the peak of the con, Barrientos was married to eight men simultaneously. Several of the men were from “red-flagged” nations speculated to harbor terrorists.

Spouse #8, Rashid Rajput, was sent back to Pakistan in 2006 after allegedly making threats against America.

“Rashid was quiet,” said Barrientos. “I just met him once or twice.

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Building a good FICO credit score isn’t tough; all you need to do is settle your bills on time. But if you own a poor credit score, developing and raising your score to a plane where you can get competitive loan prices can take time; maybe years of handling your bills on time to boost your score. Most consumers, would preferably not wait tat long, and there is no shortage of businesses agreeable to fixing credit fast.

Several organizations are proposing exciting improvements in credit scores of upward of 200 points in as quick as 60 days utilizing something identified as “seasoned credit.” The theory is straightforward – if you are joined to the credit account of somebody with sufficient credit as a cosigner, their credit will add to your credit score. What these groups do, for payments extending up to $5000, is to add your name as a cosigner to the reports of responsible participants who have sufficient credit.

Adding a cosigner to an account isn’t prohibited; husbands and wives add each other to their statements often. What is criminal about this scheme is making a conscious effort to share credit reports and credit scores. If performed in hopes of qualifying for a loan for which the borrower otherwise couldn’t obtain, such as a mortgage, fraud is perpetrated.

Increasing your credit score by 200 or more points in 60 days’ time sounds like a great idea. But the perils of paying someone thousands of dollars to do it for you are numerous. It is better to develop your credit the old fashioned way by taking your time.

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