Ex-City Worker Plea in 9/11 Funds Theft
Lawyer Blogs
[##_1L|1169992608.jpg|width="142" height="117" alt=""|_##]A former employee at the city medical examiner's office pleaded guilty to helping embezzle millions of dollars, some of which was intended to help identify victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack, authorities said Wednesday. Rosa Abreu pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan to charges of embezzlement, money laundering and conspiracy. She faces a maximum 75 years in prison when she is sentenced on Jan. 23, federal prosecutors said.
Abreu was the director of records at the medical examiner's office. Her co-defendant and former boss, Natarajan Venkataran, was scheduled to go to trial on Nov. 26. Abreu was Venkataran's assistant.
Abreu was responsible for supporting computer systems used to track and identify forensic evidence, including DNA, from crime scenes, prosecutors said. After the Sept. 11 attack, the office needed more computer services to identify victims through evidence collected at ground zero.
The two, charged in 2005, steered more than $13 million in computer service contracts and purchase orders between 1999 and 2004 in exchange for cash payments to companies that did little or no work, according to U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia.
The two also directed millions of dollars to three shell companies they created, withdrew cash and made payments to personal accounts and transferred money overseas, prosecutors said.
Many of the office's Sept. 11-related expenses were reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which forwarded more than $46 million to the office in 2002 and 2003, federal authorities said.
Related listings
-
Court grants reprieve to Alabama death-row inmate
Lawyer Blogs 10/25/2007[##_1L|1148132786.jpg|width="120" height="88" alt=""|_##]A U.S. court granted a stay of execution to a convicted killer set to be put to death in Alabama on Thursday, the latest such move since the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to let...
-
Court Denies Ex-Gov. Ryan a New Hearing
Lawyer Blogs 10/25/2007[##_1L|1030025024.jpg|width="120" height="93" alt=""|_##]A federal appeals court refused Thursday to grant former Gov. George Ryan a fresh hearing on his racketeering and fraud conviction. "We agree that the evidence of the defendant's guilt was over...
-
Man who sold dogs to Vick pleads guilty
Lawyer Blogs 10/25/2007A man who sold Michael Vick two pitbulls for his dogfighting operation pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Richmond to the same charges for which the Falcons quarterback and three co-defendants are awaiting sentencing.Oscar Allen, of William...
Victorville CA DUI defense Attorneys
The outcome of a DUI defense will have a long-term effect on anyone’s life, making the decision to receive legal representation an easy one. The fact is, most people accused of a DUI are first offenders with no criminal background. Whether this is your first run in with the law or you have had previous convictions, you are in need of a DUI defense attorney.
The charges you are facing for a DUI range from fines, a 12-month suspension on your license and worst-case scenario, prison time. Your attorney will be able to analyze your situation to decide the best way to go about your case.
Our attorneys know the tricky ways to challenge all of the DUI tests and know how to claim improper collection of evidence. We will be able to negotiate on your behalf and free you from charges and help you keep your drivers license. The DUI process can last up to several months, we can make this process easier on you. .