Most recent update 5/1/13

5/1/13: A grand jury in the Eastern District of New York returned a superseding indictment against Edward Morris Weaver, also known as “Ned;” Lawrence A. Kaplan; Scott M. Doumas; Mark Benowitz; Richard R. Goldberg; Richard Linick; Paul E. Raia; Wallace W. DiRenzo, also known as “Wally;” and James P. Ellis, also known as “Max Braddock,” “David Addison,” “Patrick Cosgrove,” and “Todd Parker.” All 10 defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in connection with the sale of vending machine business opportunities by Multivend, LLC, d/b/a Vendstar. Some of the defendants also face charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and/or making a false statement.

For a copy of the indictment, click here.

The superseding indictment contains only accusations against the defendants and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants should be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

4/8/13: U.S. District Judge Sandra J. Feuerstein held an initial status conference in the Eastern District of New York. Another status conference is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. on July 11, 2013, in Courtroom 1010 of the United States Courthouse at 100 Federal Plaza, Central Islip, New York, 11743.

2/22/13: U.S. District Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum granted the defendants’ motion to transfer the case from the Southern District of Florida to the Eastern District of New York. This website will be updated when the case is assigned to a new judge and has a new trial date.

11/20/12: U.S. District Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum scheduled the trial to begin on September 23, 2013. The trial will take place at the Federal Courthouse at 299 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

10/12/12: On October 10, 2012, an indictment was unsealed in which 10 individuals were charged in connection with Multivend LLC, d/b/a Vendstar (“Vendstar”), which sold a business opportunity involving bulk candy vending machines.

• Vendstar president and chief executive officer Edward Morris “Ned” Weaver was charged with conspiracy, mail fraud, and wire fraud.

• Vendstar technical support manager Lawrence A. Kaplan was charged with conspiracy, mail fraud, and wire fraud.

• Vendstar sales manager and sales representative Scott M. Doumas was charged with conspiracy.

• Vendstar sales representative Mark Benowitz was charged with conspiracy and mail fraud.

• Vendstar sales representative Richard R. Goldberg was charged with conspiracy and wire fraud.

• Vendstar sales representative Richard Linick was charged with conspiracy and wire fraud.

• Vendstar sales representative Paul E. Raia was charged with conspiracy and mail fraud.

• Vendstar sales representative Howard S. Strauss was charged with conspiracy and wire fraud.

• Wallace W. “Wally” DiRenzo, who operated Nationwide Locating Company, was charged with conspiracy and mail fraud.

• James P. Ellis, who used the aliases “Max Braddock,” “Patrick Cosgrove,” “Todd Parker” and operated Vending Dreams, Priority Placements, Clear Vision Marketing, Map Marketing, and Secure Placement, was charged with conspiracy. For additional information, see the Department of Justice Press Release dated October 10, 2012.

The indictment contains only accusations against the defendants and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants should be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.