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“As alleged, the defendant lied to investors by claiming that the investments made through Late Stage carried no fees and that their full investment would be used to purchase stock, when in reality he was paying himself significant fees on each investment,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “This Office will vigorously prosecute those who think it is business as usual to abuse the trust of their clients and profit through fraud.” 

Jose Saez, Jr., a pastor at a church located in Brentwood, will be arraigned this afternoon at the federal courthouse in Central Islip on an indictment charging him with sexual exploitation of children, coercion and enticement of children, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. 

“Legkodymov’s guilty plea today confirms that he was well aware that Bitzlato, his cryptocurrency exchange, was being used like an open turnstile by criminals eager to take advantage of his lax controls over illicit money transactions,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “The defendant may have thought he was operating from a safe haven overseas for his ‘No Questions Asked’ clearinghouse, but this prosecution and conviction demonstrate otherwise.”

“Business owners like everyone else have an obligation to pay their fair share of taxes,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “As alleged, the defendants made millions of dollars repairing water and sewer lines for New York City residents, but instead of dutifully paying the taxes they owed, they improperly classified more than $10 million of personal expenses as business expenses. Their greed drained the government’s coffers of nearly $4 million in tax revenue.” 

“As alleged, this defendant brazenly helped Artem Uss escape justice on an indictment charging Uss for his actions in fueling Russia’s war in Ukraine, evading sanctions and enabling oligarchs,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “I want to thank our partners in Italy for their valuable assistance and support.  We will continue to work together to make sure everyone involved in this flagrant scheme to obstruct justice is held accountable.” 

“As dramatically evidenced by the derailment, the rail bond Conklin falsely claimed to have inspected was a critical piece of rail road equipment, essential to ensuring the safety of passengers,” said United States Attorney Peace.  “While thankfully no one was seriously hurt in this accident, it is a stark reminder of the importance federal oversight plays in the safety and integrity of our transportation system.” 

Victims who suffered losses as a result of the conduct of Lee, or other New York lawyers who engage in misconduct, may be eligible to receive compensation by filing a claim with the Lawyer’s Fund for Client Protection, which may be reached at (800) 442-3863 or e-mailing info@nylawfund.org.

“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants were hired to make sure that the fire alarm systems in hundreds of New York City buildings functioned safely and effectively,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “The defendants took this as an opportunity to steal and defraud, abusing and betraying their obligations.  This indictment demonstrates our Office’s commitment to holding accountable government contractors who fleece city agencies and taxpayers.”

“From pharmacist to pill pusher, Daniel Russo betrayed his years of medical training to pocket dirty money in return for illegally selling enormous amounts of oxycodone, which was invariably later sold on the streets,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Today’s sentence sends a message to all would-be drug dealers, especially healthcare professionals, that the illegal distribution of drugs will be punished.” 

“Rather than protect and serve, Officer Abreu helped drug traffickers distribute large amounts of cocaine in the Eastern District of New York by giving them confidential law enforcement information.  That was a disgraceful breach of public trust,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Today’s plea should send the message that police officers who betray the shield and violate the law will be held to account.  No one is above the law.”

Earlier today, Idris Dayo Mustapha, a national of Nigeria and the United Kingdom, pleaded guilty to charges of computer intrusion, securities fraud, wire fraud and access device fraud based on his involvement in a ring of hackers and fraudsters who broke into Americans’ email and brokerage accounts in order to defraud and steal over $6 million from their victims.  Mustapha was arrested in the United Kingdom in August 2021 and was extradited to the United States in August 2023.  Today’s proceeding was held before United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen.  When sentenced, the defendant faces

“The defendant will deservedly serve a life sentence for the murder, attempted murder and armed robberies he committed on behalf of MS-13,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Today’s sentence reflects justice for the heinous and senseless nature of the defendant’s crimes and the terror he inflicted on his victims, their families and the community.”