Suspended Attorney Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For Using Law Firm To Launder Drug Money

United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced the sentencing of ROBERT DAVID BOEDIGHEIMER, 52, to five years in prison. BOEDIGHEIMER was convicted by a jury on June 17, 2014, after a 12-day trial, of using his law firm to launder drug money, lying to investigators, and encouraging his brother-in-law to also lie to federal investigators. The defendant was sentenced on March 9, 2015, before Judge Ann D. Montgomery in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minn.

“Lawyers are officers of the court,” said Assistant United States Attorney Steven L. Schleicher. “This sentence is a step toward restoring trust in the legal profession by assuring the public that nobody gets special treatment because of their profession. Those who are sworn to uphold the law will be held accountable if they violate it. This case is the result of the hard work and dedication of the agents who worked tirelessly to see justice done.”

As proven at trial, BOEDIGHEIMER had his own personal injury practice since 1995. The law firm and the defendant began to experience financial problems in 2006. The defendant fell behind on several loans, bills, and taxes, and also had difficulty meeting payroll obligations for his law firm. In addition to the financial problems at the firm, the defendant spent lavishly on himself, frequent gambling and expensive travel. He also lived in a high-end home near a golf course in Stillwater, Minn.

As proven at trial, BOEDIGHEIMER’S brother-in-law, Brandon Lusk, was a distributor of high- end marijuana in and around Rochester, Minn. The defendant approached Lusk for a cash loan so that he could maintain his lifestyle. Lusk agreed to provide many loans to BOEDIGHEIMER, on the condition that the defendant repay the loans, plus interest, in checks issued from BOEDIGHEIMER’S law firm. Ultimately, BOEDIGHEIMER created a “no-show” job for Lusk at the law firm, which paid Lusk $48,000 per year. The defendant provided a box of business cards to Lusk listing him as an “investigator” for the firm.

As proven at trial, Lusk’s no-show job was entirely paid for through drug proceeds that Lusk funneled to BOEDIGHEIMER, and which the defendant laundered through his law firm. Between March 26, 2010 and January 28, 2011, nine payroll cash advances were provided to the defendant by Lusk, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 each, and totaling approximately $55,000. In exchange, Lusk received payroll checks from the law firm. In March 2011, Lusk lost his source of income as a marijuana distributor when Richard Kay, who was Lusk’s supplier, discovered that he was under investigation. Lusk and a marijuana distribution associate approached the defendant for help in obtaining legal representation. Lusk was eventually interviewed by the US Attorney’s office, before which BOEDIGHEIMER advised Lusk not to tell investigators about the money laundering arrangement between the two of them. Lusk then withheld information from investigators about his employment and the disposition of the drug proceeds. Lusk was ultimately sentenced to 30 months imprisonment for distribution of marijuana and money laundering.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Drug Enforcement Administration, Southeast Minnesota Narcotics & Gang Task Force, and Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie E. Allyn and Steven L. Schleicher.


Defendant Information:

ROBERT DAVID BOEDIGHEIMER, 52
Stillwater, Minn.

Convicted:
• Money Laundering Conspiracy, 1 count
• Money Laundering, 1 count
• False Statement, 1 count

Sentenced:
• Five years in prison
• Three years supervised release