A federal jury in New York has convicted investor Bruce Garelick on insider trading charges.
The case revolves around Garelick’s involvement with Digital World Acquisition Corp., a publicly traded company, and his alleged disclosure of non-public information regarding its planned merger with Trump Media, the owner of the Truth Social app.
Donald Trump, the majority shareholder of Trump Media, was not implicated in the case against Garelick, held in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan. Trump himself faces unrelated criminal charges in Manhattan Supreme Court about a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels, a former adult film star.
Two co-defendants of Garelick, Michael and Gerald Shvartsman, had previously pleaded guilty to insider trading charges on April 3.
After closing arguments from the prosecution and defense, the jury in Garelick’s case commenced deliberations on Wednesday. After several hours of deliberation, the jurors returned guilty verdicts on the five counts...
The case revolves around Garelick’s involvement with Digital World Acquisition Corp., a publicly traded company, and his alleged disclosure of non-public information regarding its planned merger with Trump Media, the owner of the Truth Social app.
Donald Trump, the majority shareholder of Trump Media, was not implicated in the case against Garelick, held in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan. Trump himself faces unrelated criminal charges in Manhattan Supreme Court about a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels, a former adult film star.
Two co-defendants of Garelick, Michael and Gerald Shvartsman, had previously pleaded guilty to insider trading charges on April 3.
After closing arguments from the prosecution and defense, the jury in Garelick’s case commenced deliberations on Wednesday. After several hours of deliberation, the jurors returned guilty verdicts on the five counts...
- 5/10/2024
- by Baila Eve Zisman
- Uinterview
Venture capitalist Michael Shvartsman and his brother, Gerald Shvartsman, have pleaded guilty to an insider trading scheme connected to the high-profile public listing of Donald Trump’s social media enterprise Truth Social.
In a New York court, each brother pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, as stated by federal prosecutors.
The arrests of the Shvartsman brothers took place in June after allegations surfaced of illicit trading based on nonpublic information about a shell company’s confidential plan to acquire Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of the social network Truth Social.
Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, stated, “Michael and Gerald Shvartsman admitted in court that they received confidential, inside information about an upcoming merger between Dwac and Trump Media and used that information to make profitable, but illegal, open-market trades.”
“Insider trading is cheating,...
In a New York court, each brother pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, as stated by federal prosecutors.
The arrests of the Shvartsman brothers took place in June after allegations surfaced of illicit trading based on nonpublic information about a shell company’s confidential plan to acquire Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of the social network Truth Social.
Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, stated, “Michael and Gerald Shvartsman admitted in court that they received confidential, inside information about an upcoming merger between Dwac and Trump Media and used that information to make profitable, but illegal, open-market trades.”
“Insider trading is cheating,...
- 4/5/2024
- by Baila Eve Zisman
- Uinterview
Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of crypto exchange Ftx, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for defrauding investors.
Judge Lewis Kaplan of the Southern District of New York set the sentence today in a hearing in New York Federal Court. He said the long sentence would serve as a deterrent, that Bankman-Fried had lied on the stand during his trial, and that he felt there was a risk of him repeating similar crimes.
Speaking before the sentence, Bankman-Fried said what happened to Ftx customers has “been excruciating to watch.” But, he said, “I don’t think the reasons for that have been properly told.” The 31-year-old said he had made a series of bad decisions and thrown his life away.
In November, the former crypto king was found guilty by a Manhattan jury of seven counts of fraud in a scheme that cost Ftx customers over $10 billion. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams...
Judge Lewis Kaplan of the Southern District of New York set the sentence today in a hearing in New York Federal Court. He said the long sentence would serve as a deterrent, that Bankman-Fried had lied on the stand during his trial, and that he felt there was a risk of him repeating similar crimes.
Speaking before the sentence, Bankman-Fried said what happened to Ftx customers has “been excruciating to watch.” But, he said, “I don’t think the reasons for that have been properly told.” The 31-year-old said he had made a series of bad decisions and thrown his life away.
In November, the former crypto king was found guilty by a Manhattan jury of seven counts of fraud in a scheme that cost Ftx customers over $10 billion. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams...
- 3/28/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Bitconned Movie Review Rating:
Star Cast: Robert Farkas, Sohrab Sharma, Ray Trapani, Damian Williams
Director: Bryan Storkel
Review of Bitconned Is Out! (Picture Credit: IMDb)
What’s Good: The documentary skillfully navigates through Centra’s rise and fall, exploring the motivations behind the scam. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the fraudulent activities, showcasing the lavish lifestyles funded by deceived investors. The film’s adept chronological presentation ensures clarity, and the inclusion of interviews enhances authenticity.
What’s Bad: While “Bitconned” effectively portrays Centra’s deceitful practices, it also sheds light on the disheartening reality of inadequate legal repercussions, particularly regarding Ray Trapani. The documentary leaves viewers frustrated with the incongruity between Trapani’s significant role in the scam and his ability to walk away unscathed through cooperation with federal officials.
Loo Break: Given the documentary’s high energy and compelling narrative, avoiding taking a break during the runtime is...
Star Cast: Robert Farkas, Sohrab Sharma, Ray Trapani, Damian Williams
Director: Bryan Storkel
Review of Bitconned Is Out! (Picture Credit: IMDb)
What’s Good: The documentary skillfully navigates through Centra’s rise and fall, exploring the motivations behind the scam. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the fraudulent activities, showcasing the lavish lifestyles funded by deceived investors. The film’s adept chronological presentation ensures clarity, and the inclusion of interviews enhances authenticity.
What’s Bad: While “Bitconned” effectively portrays Centra’s deceitful practices, it also sheds light on the disheartening reality of inadequate legal repercussions, particularly regarding Ray Trapani. The documentary leaves viewers frustrated with the incongruity between Trapani’s significant role in the scam and his ability to walk away unscathed through cooperation with federal officials.
Loo Break: Given the documentary’s high energy and compelling narrative, avoiding taking a break during the runtime is...
- 1/13/2024
- by Hari P N
- KoiMoi
On Thursday, the founder of crypto exchange Ftx, Sam Bankman-Fried, was found guilty of fraud and additional charges.
Ftx was a cryptocurrency exchange that allowed its users to buy, sell and enter into contracts for crypto coins and tokens.
Jurors found the disgraced crypto financier, 31, guilty of wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering.
The charges stem from his fraudulent activities that involved customers on his Ftx crypto exchange and lenders associated with his investment firm, Alameda Research.
Bankman-Fried’s attorney, Mark Cohen, told reporters that he maintains his client’s innocence and “will continue to vigorously fight the charges against him.” His sentencing hearing is set for March 28.
The trial began on October 3. The jury heard from a slew of witnesses, which included three of Bankman-Fried’s close friends, Gary Wange, Nishad Singh and Caroline Ellison.
The former CEO of Alameda, Ellison was also Bankman-Fried’s ex-girlfriend.
Bankman-Fried and his colleagues worked together,...
Ftx was a cryptocurrency exchange that allowed its users to buy, sell and enter into contracts for crypto coins and tokens.
Jurors found the disgraced crypto financier, 31, guilty of wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering.
The charges stem from his fraudulent activities that involved customers on his Ftx crypto exchange and lenders associated with his investment firm, Alameda Research.
Bankman-Fried’s attorney, Mark Cohen, told reporters that he maintains his client’s innocence and “will continue to vigorously fight the charges against him.” His sentencing hearing is set for March 28.
The trial began on October 3. The jury heard from a slew of witnesses, which included three of Bankman-Fried’s close friends, Gary Wange, Nishad Singh and Caroline Ellison.
The former CEO of Alameda, Ellison was also Bankman-Fried’s ex-girlfriend.
Bankman-Fried and his colleagues worked together,...
- 11/3/2023
- by Baila Eve Zisman
- Uinterview
Jurors took only a half-day of deliberations today to find former Ftx founder Sam Bankman-Fried guilty of seven counts of fraud in a scheme that cost customers an estimated $10 billion to $14 billion. His crypto exchange, Ftx, collapsed into bankruptcy last year.
He now faces a March 28 sentencing date that could result in decades of prison time. The 2009 prosecution of Bernard Madoff, whose Ponzi scheme bilked about $20 billion. resulted in a sentence of 150 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams told reporters after the verdict that Bankman-Fried “perpetrated one of the biggest financial frauds in American history, a multibillion dollar scheme designed to make him the king of crypto..
“But here’s the thing: The cryptocurrency industry might be new. The players like Sam Bankman-Fried might be new. This kind of fraud, this kind of corruption, is as old as time, and we have no patience for it,” he said.
He now faces a March 28 sentencing date that could result in decades of prison time. The 2009 prosecution of Bernard Madoff, whose Ponzi scheme bilked about $20 billion. resulted in a sentence of 150 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams told reporters after the verdict that Bankman-Fried “perpetrated one of the biggest financial frauds in American history, a multibillion dollar scheme designed to make him the king of crypto..
“But here’s the thing: The cryptocurrency industry might be new. The players like Sam Bankman-Fried might be new. This kind of fraud, this kind of corruption, is as old as time, and we have no patience for it,” he said.
- 11/3/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
The United States filed a civil forfeiture complaint for the Amadea, a 348-foot yacht owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov.
The Department of Justice argued the $300 million yacht is forfeitable since it was “improved and maintained” in violation of sanctions against Kerimov and his allies.
Kerimov has been identified as a strong ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kerimov is alleged to have arranged to purchase the yacht in September 2021, after sanctions were imposed, through “a series of transfers between shell companies designed to conceal his ownership of the yacht.”
The DOJ claimed that Kerimov traveled on the yacht and made plans for “extensive renovations” and “assumed all liability and responsibility for the Amadea’s upkeep.”
“During that time, individuals or entities acting on Kerimov’s behalf accrued U.S. dollar-denominated costs for the Amadea’s upkeep and sent or caused to be sent through the U.S. financial systems,...
The Department of Justice argued the $300 million yacht is forfeitable since it was “improved and maintained” in violation of sanctions against Kerimov and his allies.
Kerimov has been identified as a strong ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kerimov is alleged to have arranged to purchase the yacht in September 2021, after sanctions were imposed, through “a series of transfers between shell companies designed to conceal his ownership of the yacht.”
The DOJ claimed that Kerimov traveled on the yacht and made plans for “extensive renovations” and “assumed all liability and responsibility for the Amadea’s upkeep.”
“During that time, individuals or entities acting on Kerimov’s behalf accrued U.S. dollar-denominated costs for the Amadea’s upkeep and sent or caused to be sent through the U.S. financial systems,...
- 10/29/2023
- by Ava Lombardi
- Uinterview
New York, Sep 13 (Ians) Karl Sebastian Greenwood, the co-founder of multi-billion cryptocurrency scheme OneCoin, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in the US.
The multibillion-dollar “Bitcoin killer” fraud pulled in $4 billion from millions of investors between 2014 and 2016, the US Department of Justice said in a statement.
OneCoin, based in Sofia, Bulgaria, marketed and sold a fraudulent cryptocurrency by the same name through a global multi-level-marketing network.
Greenwood’s partner Ruja Ignatova (aka the ‘Cryptoqueen’) who was added to the FBI’s ‘Top Ten Most Wanted List’, remains at large, with a $100,000 reward for information leading to her arrest.
“As a founder and leader of OneCoin, Karl Sebastian Greenwood operated one of the largest fraud schemes ever perpetrated.Greenwood and his co-conspirators, including fugitive Ruja Ignatova, conned unsuspecting victims out of billions of dollars with promises of a ‘financial revolution’ and claims that OneCoin would be the ‘Bitcoin killer,’” said US.
The multibillion-dollar “Bitcoin killer” fraud pulled in $4 billion from millions of investors between 2014 and 2016, the US Department of Justice said in a statement.
OneCoin, based in Sofia, Bulgaria, marketed and sold a fraudulent cryptocurrency by the same name through a global multi-level-marketing network.
Greenwood’s partner Ruja Ignatova (aka the ‘Cryptoqueen’) who was added to the FBI’s ‘Top Ten Most Wanted List’, remains at large, with a $100,000 reward for information leading to her arrest.
“As a founder and leader of OneCoin, Karl Sebastian Greenwood operated one of the largest fraud schemes ever perpetrated.Greenwood and his co-conspirators, including fugitive Ruja Ignatova, conned unsuspecting victims out of billions of dollars with promises of a ‘financial revolution’ and claims that OneCoin would be the ‘Bitcoin killer,’” said US.
- 9/13/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Drug dealer Irvin Cartagena has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for selling fentanyl-laced heroin to “The Wire” actor Michael K. Williams, who died of an overdose in 2021.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams also made it clear that Cartagena and his cohorts knew about the actor’s death and continued with operations anyway. The attorney explained, “Michael K. Williams tragically lost his life after using the drugs sold to him by Cartagena. Although their product had already claimed one life, Cartagena and his co-conspirators continued to sell potentially lethal fentanyl-laced heroin.”
Cartagena is one of four men associated with the drug-trafficking ring that sold the substance. Cartagena, who is believed to be the person who physically sold the drugs to the actor, had previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and other drugs. He was arrested in Puerto Rico in February 2022.
In July of this year,...
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams also made it clear that Cartagena and his cohorts knew about the actor’s death and continued with operations anyway. The attorney explained, “Michael K. Williams tragically lost his life after using the drugs sold to him by Cartagena. Although their product had already claimed one life, Cartagena and his co-conspirators continued to sell potentially lethal fentanyl-laced heroin.”
Cartagena is one of four men associated with the drug-trafficking ring that sold the substance. Cartagena, who is believed to be the person who physically sold the drugs to the actor, had previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and other drugs. He was arrested in Puerto Rico in February 2022.
In July of this year,...
- 8/20/2023
- by Stephanie Kaloi
- The Wrap
San Francisco, July 12 (Ians) Shakeeb Ahmed, a former senior security engineer at Amazon, has been accused in the US of hacking a famous cryptocurrency exchange and stealing around $9 million in crypto.
The US Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York announced the indictment of Ahmed with wire fraud and money laundering in connection with his attack on a decentralised cryptocurrency exchange.
Ahmed’s LinkedIn profile revealed he is a senior security engineer at Amazon.
The company, however, said he is no longer employed.
The crypto exchange Ahmed hit operated on the Solana blockchain.
While the exchange was not named, reports said it matches last year’s theft from Crema Finance, a Solana-based Dex.
In July 2022, Ahmed carried out an attack on the crypto exchange by exploiting a vulnerability in one of the its smart contracts and inserting fake pricing data to fraudulently cause that smart contract to...
The US Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York announced the indictment of Ahmed with wire fraud and money laundering in connection with his attack on a decentralised cryptocurrency exchange.
Ahmed’s LinkedIn profile revealed he is a senior security engineer at Amazon.
The company, however, said he is no longer employed.
The crypto exchange Ahmed hit operated on the Solana blockchain.
While the exchange was not named, reports said it matches last year’s theft from Crema Finance, a Solana-based Dex.
In July 2022, Ahmed carried out an attack on the crypto exchange by exploiting a vulnerability in one of the its smart contracts and inserting fake pricing data to fraudulently cause that smart contract to...
- 7/12/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The Department of Justice announced on Monday an indictment against Gal Luft, the Israeli-American co-head of a Maryland-based think tank, on charges related to violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (Fara). Luft, currently a fugitive from American authorities, has been touted by Republicans as a potential whistleblower in their ongoing efforts to link the Biden family to corrupt business dealings abroad.
Luft was initially arrested in Cyprus in February, and fled the country after being released on bail. A six-count indictment was released on Monday. Charges include “offenses related...
Luft was initially arrested in Cyprus in February, and fled the country after being released on bail. A six-count indictment was released on Monday. Charges include “offenses related...
- 7/11/2023
- by Nikki McCann Ramirez
- Rollingstone.com
Brooklyn rapper Casanova was sentenced to 188 months, or nearly 16 years, in prison Wednesday after previously pleading guilty to federal charges of racketeering conspiracy and narcotics conspiracy.
The rapper born Caswell Senior faced up to 60 years for his alleged role in the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Gang; in 2020, federal prosecutors charged 18 members of the Brooklyn gang — including Senior — as part of a sprawling drug conspiracy case that spanned from 2004 to their arrest.
During a hearing where the rapper pleaded guilty in May 2022, Senior admitted that he plotted with others in Gorilla Stone to commit crimes,...
The rapper born Caswell Senior faced up to 60 years for his alleged role in the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Gang; in 2020, federal prosecutors charged 18 members of the Brooklyn gang — including Senior — as part of a sprawling drug conspiracy case that spanned from 2004 to their arrest.
During a hearing where the rapper pleaded guilty in May 2022, Senior admitted that he plotted with others in Gorilla Stone to commit crimes,...
- 6/28/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Washington, June 10 (Ians) The US government has charged two Russian nationals in connection with the $400 million Bitcoin hack that brought down the Mt. Gox Bitcoin exchange in 2014.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) announced the unsealing of charges against Alexey Bilyuchenko and Aleksandr Verner, both Russian nationals.
Bilyuchenko and Verner are charged in the Southern District of New York with conspiring to launder approximately 647,000 bitcoins from the 2011 hack of Mt. Gox, which was worth around $400 million at the time (called the Sdna case).
Bilyuchenko is separately charged in the Northern District of California with conspiring with Vinnik to operate the illicit cryptocurrency exchange Btc-e from 2011 to 2017 (the Ndca Case).
“As alleged, Bilyuchenko and Verner thought they could outsmart the law by using sophisticated hacks to steal and launder massive amounts of cryptocurrency, a novel technology at the time,” said US Attorney Damian Williams.
However, “the charges unsealed demonstrate our ability to tenaciously pursue these alleged criminals,...
The Department of Justice (DoJ) announced the unsealing of charges against Alexey Bilyuchenko and Aleksandr Verner, both Russian nationals.
Bilyuchenko and Verner are charged in the Southern District of New York with conspiring to launder approximately 647,000 bitcoins from the 2011 hack of Mt. Gox, which was worth around $400 million at the time (called the Sdna case).
Bilyuchenko is separately charged in the Northern District of California with conspiring with Vinnik to operate the illicit cryptocurrency exchange Btc-e from 2011 to 2017 (the Ndca Case).
“As alleged, Bilyuchenko and Verner thought they could outsmart the law by using sophisticated hacks to steal and launder massive amounts of cryptocurrency, a novel technology at the time,” said US Attorney Damian Williams.
However, “the charges unsealed demonstrate our ability to tenaciously pursue these alleged criminals,...
- 6/10/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Former police officer Nicholas Tartaglione, who once shared a cell with disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, is facing life in prison after a jury found him guilty of the gruesome murder of four men in 2015.
“Mr. Tartaglione’s heinous acts represent a broader betrayal, as he was a former police officer who once swore to protect the very community he devastated,” said U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, in a statement on Thursday.
In Memoriam 2022: 100 Great Celebrities Who Died In 2022
Tartaglione, who had left law enforcement in pursuit of a career in drug trafficking, reportedly lured Martin Luna, two of his nephews and a family friend, to a bar, Likquid Lounge in Chester, New York, after suspecting that Luna had stolen money from him.
“What occurred next could only be described as pure terror,” Williams held. According to the prosecution, Tartaglione...
“Mr. Tartaglione’s heinous acts represent a broader betrayal, as he was a former police officer who once swore to protect the very community he devastated,” said U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, in a statement on Thursday.
In Memoriam 2022: 100 Great Celebrities Who Died In 2022
Tartaglione, who had left law enforcement in pursuit of a career in drug trafficking, reportedly lured Martin Luna, two of his nephews and a family friend, to a bar, Likquid Lounge in Chester, New York, after suspecting that Luna had stolen money from him.
“What occurred next could only be described as pure terror,” Williams held. According to the prosecution, Tartaglione...
- 4/8/2023
- by Nicky Kashani
- Uinterview
A Brooklyn drug dealer pleaded guilty Wednesday to providing “The Wire” actor Michael K. Williams with fentanyl-laced heroin, causing his death.
Irvin Cartagena’s plea to a charge of conspiring to distribute drugs was entered in Manhattan federal court. Sentencing was set by U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams for Aug. 18, when Cartagena will face a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and the possibility of as many as 40 years.
The famed actor, who also starred in films and other TV series including “Boardwalk Empire”, overdosed in his Brooklyn penthouse apartment in September 2021. Authorities said he died hours after buying the heroin from Cartagena on a Brooklyn sidewalk in a deal that was recorded by a security camera.
Cartagena, 39, signed a plea agreement with prosecutors stipulating that the mix of heroin and fentanyl he sold Williams resulted in his death. His lawyer, Sean Maher, declined comment.
Read More: Michael K.
Irvin Cartagena’s plea to a charge of conspiring to distribute drugs was entered in Manhattan federal court. Sentencing was set by U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams for Aug. 18, when Cartagena will face a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and the possibility of as many as 40 years.
The famed actor, who also starred in films and other TV series including “Boardwalk Empire”, overdosed in his Brooklyn penthouse apartment in September 2021. Authorities said he died hours after buying the heroin from Cartagena on a Brooklyn sidewalk in a deal that was recorded by a security camera.
Cartagena, 39, signed a plea agreement with prosecutors stipulating that the mix of heroin and fentanyl he sold Williams resulted in his death. His lawyer, Sean Maher, declined comment.
Read More: Michael K.
- 4/6/2023
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
A drug dealer who sold The Wire actor Michael K. Williams a fatal dose of fentanyl-laced heroin pled guilty to a narcotics conspiracy charge on Wednesday, the New York Times reports.
Irvin Cartagena’s sentencing was set by U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams in Manhattan federal court for Aug. 18, when Cartagena will face up to 40 years and a mandatory minimum of five years in prison.
A previous release from the U.S. Attorney’s office included screengrabs of surveillance footage showing Williams and Cartagena allegedly “executing the hand-to-hand transaction...
Irvin Cartagena’s sentencing was set by U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams in Manhattan federal court for Aug. 18, when Cartagena will face up to 40 years and a mandatory minimum of five years in prison.
A previous release from the U.S. Attorney’s office included screengrabs of surveillance footage showing Williams and Cartagena allegedly “executing the hand-to-hand transaction...
- 4/5/2023
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
Former Real Housewives of Dallas star Stephanie Hollman is weighing in on what Bravo pays its Housewives, this after Jen Shah‘s purported per-episode salary came to light.
In a TikTok video she posted on Thursday, Hollman offered some insight into how expensive things can get merely being part of the Bravo franchise and at what point one can expect to start making money. It’s fascinating insight, considering the subject of Housewives salaries is shrouded in mystery. Hollman also expressed some shock after learning Shah’s salary (more on that in a bit).
“I will say, season 1 for me, I felt like I was paying to be on the show,” she explained. “Like, I definitely spent more than I made. Season 5, I was making great money. Season 3 is when you kind of start making pretty good money, and that I think is why after season 3, you see a lot...
In a TikTok video she posted on Thursday, Hollman offered some insight into how expensive things can get merely being part of the Bravo franchise and at what point one can expect to start making money. It’s fascinating insight, considering the subject of Housewives salaries is shrouded in mystery. Hollman also expressed some shock after learning Shah’s salary (more on that in a bit).
“I will say, season 1 for me, I felt like I was paying to be on the show,” she explained. “Like, I definitely spent more than I made. Season 5, I was making great money. Season 3 is when you kind of start making pretty good money, and that I think is why after season 3, you see a lot...
- 3/3/2023
- by Divya Goyal
- ET Canada
San Francisco, March 1 (Ians) Indian-origin Nishad Singh, the former director of engineering at collapsed crypto exchange Ftx, has finally pleaded guilty to criminal charges and was currently cooperating with the US prosecutors in the alleged billion-dollar scam at the crypto trading platform run by former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried who is also facing a trial.
Singh pleaded guilty to six conspiracy charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to violate federal campaign finance laws.
Bankman-Fried, along with Gary Wang, co-founder of Ftx, and Caroline Ellison, the former head of Ftx’s sister hedge fund Alameda Research, have all pleaded guilty in the ongoing case.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Singh for his role in a multi-year scheme to defraud equity investors in Ftx.
According to the SEC’s complaint, Singh created software code that allowed Ftx customer funds to be diverted to Alameda Research,...
Singh pleaded guilty to six conspiracy charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to violate federal campaign finance laws.
Bankman-Fried, along with Gary Wang, co-founder of Ftx, and Caroline Ellison, the former head of Ftx’s sister hedge fund Alameda Research, have all pleaded guilty in the ongoing case.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Singh for his role in a multi-year scheme to defraud equity investors in Ftx.
According to the SEC’s complaint, Singh created software code that allowed Ftx customer funds to be diverted to Alameda Research,...
- 3/1/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
Bronx rapper Kay Flock was among the eight alleged gang members indicted on federal racketeering charges Thursday, with the rapper also accused of murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and conspiracy.
Kay Flock, born Kevin Perez, faces a mandatory life in prison sentence if convicted on all charges. Perez is already behind bars awaiting trial for state murder charges related to the Dec. 2021 shooting death of Hwascar “Oscar” Hernandez, the same victim listed in the federal indictment.
The indictment alleges that Perez and five other male defendants were members of “Sev Side,...
Kay Flock, born Kevin Perez, faces a mandatory life in prison sentence if convicted on all charges. Perez is already behind bars awaiting trial for state murder charges related to the Dec. 2021 shooting death of Hwascar “Oscar” Hernandez, the same victim listed in the federal indictment.
The indictment alleges that Perez and five other male defendants were members of “Sev Side,...
- 2/23/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Jen Shah got a lot off her chest just hours before having to report to federal prison, granting an interview to a former convicted felon who now runs a service helping convicts prepare for life in and after prison.
In an interview with Justin Paperny, the co-founder of White Collar Service and author of Lessons From Prison and Ethics in Motion, the former “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star says she’s going into prison with only two things — her Quran and an 18-page release plan, which she said “has 11 different sections that is going to help me stay on track, hold me accountable, and it’s something that I’m going to build on while I’m in prison.”
Read More: Jen Shah Gets Tattoo Honoring Her Husband and Children Ahead of Prison Sentence
Shah, 49, said the release plan was created by Michael Santos, the other White Collar co-founder.
In an interview with Justin Paperny, the co-founder of White Collar Service and author of Lessons From Prison and Ethics in Motion, the former “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star says she’s going into prison with only two things — her Quran and an 18-page release plan, which she said “has 11 different sections that is going to help me stay on track, hold me accountable, and it’s something that I’m going to build on while I’m in prison.”
Read More: Jen Shah Gets Tattoo Honoring Her Husband and Children Ahead of Prison Sentence
Shah, 49, said the release plan was created by Michael Santos, the other White Collar co-founder.
- 2/17/2023
- by Melissa Romualdi
- ET Canada
Jen Shah is honouring her family amid her impending prison sentence. “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star, who is due to surrender herself to prison on Feb. 17, took to her Instagram Stories Wednesday to show off two tattoos she got in honour of her husband, Sharrieff, and their two sons, Sharrieff Jr. and Omar.
The first tattoo Shah shared appears on her forearm and features the word, “Keiki,” which means child in Hawaiian. A second photo shows the inside of her arm, which has her husband’s and sons’ names written out in cursive.
“Sharrieff, Omar, Sharrieff,” the tattoo reads.
Instagram/therealjenshah Instagram/therealjenshah
The ink comes just one month after Shah was sentenced to six and a half years in prison, plus five years of supervised release for her alleged involvement in a money laundering scheme.
After the sentence was handed down last month, the 49-year-old tearfully apologized to her husband,...
The first tattoo Shah shared appears on her forearm and features the word, “Keiki,” which means child in Hawaiian. A second photo shows the inside of her arm, which has her husband’s and sons’ names written out in cursive.
“Sharrieff, Omar, Sharrieff,” the tattoo reads.
Instagram/therealjenshah Instagram/therealjenshah
The ink comes just one month after Shah was sentenced to six and a half years in prison, plus five years of supervised release for her alleged involvement in a money laundering scheme.
After the sentence was handed down last month, the 49-year-old tearfully apologized to her husband,...
- 2/16/2023
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
On Feb. 9, "Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence" premiered on Hulu. The true-crime documentary miniseries tells the harrowing story of the cult at Sarah Lawrence College, a prestigious liberal arts school just outside New York City. At the center of the story is Larry Ray, who was the leader of the cult. The documentary has people wondering where the sinister con artist is now, and while the short answer is that he's exactly where he should be - behind bars - there's more to know.
Who Is Larry Ray?
Before Ray's disturbing crimes were unveiled, Ray (whose real name is Lawrence Grecco) worked in several professions, according to People, from nightlife to consulting - he even traded stocks on Wall Street in the 1980s. According to New York Magazine, Ray also held political fundraisers, including for Patrick Kennedy. He did all of this despite not having a degree.
Who Is Larry Ray?
Before Ray's disturbing crimes were unveiled, Ray (whose real name is Lawrence Grecco) worked in several professions, according to People, from nightlife to consulting - he even traded stocks on Wall Street in the 1980s. According to New York Magazine, Ray also held political fundraisers, including for Patrick Kennedy. He did all of this despite not having a degree.
- 2/10/2023
- by Jessica Vacco-Bolanos
- Popsugar.com
A Florida woman named Peaches Stergo was arrested Wednesday for allegedly defrauding an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor out of his life savings as part of a years-long romance scam, but it seems the 2.8 million payday was not her first rodeo. Around 2012, according to social media profiles located by Rolling Stone, it appears she tried her hand at that old standby, posing as a psychic. Perhaps she should have been able to foretell how cheating the survivor of one of the world’s greatest atrocities out of his nest egg could have turned out.
- 1/26/2023
- by Brenna Ehrlich
- Rollingstone.com
Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast member Jen Shah was sentenced to 78 months in prison Friday after the reality TV star previously pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Shah faced up to 10 years in prison for her role in a telemarketing scheme accused of defrauding elderly people of millions of dollars, all while Shah flaunted her wealth and affluence on the Utah offshoot of the popular Bravo franchise. Shah’s lawyers were seeking a three-year sentence, with U.S. District Court Judge Sidney Stein...
Shah faced up to 10 years in prison for her role in a telemarketing scheme accused of defrauding elderly people of millions of dollars, all while Shah flaunted her wealth and affluence on the Utah offshoot of the popular Bravo franchise. Shah’s lawyers were seeking a three-year sentence, with U.S. District Court Judge Sidney Stein...
- 1/6/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Jen Shah, known for starring on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison Friday for her role in a telemarketing scam, NBC News reports.
Along with the 78-month sentence, which was less time than prosecutors were seeking, U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein also ordered Shah to forfeit 6.5 million and 30 luxury goods, and pay more than 6.6 million in restitution, according to the outlet. Additionally, Shah will be subject to five years of supervised release after leaving prison.
Prior to announcing the decision, Stein warned those in the courtroom that the Shah they see on Bravo involves “acting” and role-playing, and added about the series, “It’s a heavily scripted operation.”
Shah’s attorney Priya Chaudhry told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement that her client “deeply regrets the mistakes that she has made” and apologizes to the victims.
Along with the 78-month sentence, which was less time than prosecutors were seeking, U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein also ordered Shah to forfeit 6.5 million and 30 luxury goods, and pay more than 6.6 million in restitution, according to the outlet. Additionally, Shah will be subject to five years of supervised release after leaving prison.
Prior to announcing the decision, Stein warned those in the courtroom that the Shah they see on Bravo involves “acting” and role-playing, and added about the series, “It’s a heavily scripted operation.”
Shah’s attorney Priya Chaudhry told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement that her client “deeply regrets the mistakes that she has made” and apologizes to the victims.
- 1/6/2023
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jen Shah, star of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, has been formally sentenced in the wire fraud case. Shah will be going to prison for 6.5 years, or 78 months.
“My intention is to impose a sentence of 78 months of incarceration and other conditions. Any formal objection to the procedure? Guideline range [from] 135 to 168 months. I sentence you to 78 months,” Judge Stein sentenced. (via Inner City Press)
Shah would also serve an additional 5 years of supervised release. She would have to surrender to prison on February 17, 2023. During the sentencing, Shah mentioned that her manager was there to which Judge Stein raised “concerned” adding, “If you intend to profit from this procedure. There should be no intention to profit from this crime. I assume the government will take steps to effectuate this. Assets in Kosovo or Cyprus?”
The judge said he was “a little concerned” Shah’s manager is in the courtroom.
“My intention is to impose a sentence of 78 months of incarceration and other conditions. Any formal objection to the procedure? Guideline range [from] 135 to 168 months. I sentence you to 78 months,” Judge Stein sentenced. (via Inner City Press)
Shah would also serve an additional 5 years of supervised release. She would have to surrender to prison on February 17, 2023. During the sentencing, Shah mentioned that her manager was there to which Judge Stein raised “concerned” adding, “If you intend to profit from this procedure. There should be no intention to profit from this crime. I assume the government will take steps to effectuate this. Assets in Kosovo or Cyprus?”
The judge said he was “a little concerned” Shah’s manager is in the courtroom.
- 1/6/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Washington, Dec 23 (Ians) Beleaguered crypto exchange Ftx Co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried has been released on a 250 million bond in the US, “the largest-ever pretrial bond,” amid his trial for committing fraud and other criminal charges.
A federal judge in the US District Court in Manhattan also barred the former Ftx CEO from opening any new lines of credit of more than 1,000 while awaiting trial, CNBC reported late on Thursday.
He will face his next hearing in New York City on January 3.
The bond has been secured by equity in his family home, and by the signatures of his parents and two other individuals with “considerable” assets.
As part of the bond agreement, Bankman-Fried will wear an “electronic monitoring bracelet” and submit to “mental health counselling” amid restrictions on travelling out of the city.
The judge said Bankman-Fried would require “strict” supervision following his release to his parents’ home in California.
Bankman-Fried...
A federal judge in the US District Court in Manhattan also barred the former Ftx CEO from opening any new lines of credit of more than 1,000 while awaiting trial, CNBC reported late on Thursday.
He will face his next hearing in New York City on January 3.
The bond has been secured by equity in his family home, and by the signatures of his parents and two other individuals with “considerable” assets.
As part of the bond agreement, Bankman-Fried will wear an “electronic monitoring bracelet” and submit to “mental health counselling” amid restrictions on travelling out of the city.
The judge said Bankman-Fried would require “strict” supervision following his release to his parents’ home in California.
Bankman-Fried...
- 12/23/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
San Francisco, Dec 22 (Ians) Two close friends of former Ftx CEO Sam Bankman-Fried have pleaded guilty to federal charges and are cooperating with the prosecutors in the US, the media reported. However, there is no news on Indian-origin Nishad Singh, another key Ftx executive.
Caroline Ellison and Zixiao “Gary” Wang, two executives in the bankrupt crypto exchange FTC, have pleaded guilty, according to Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
The guilty pleas were related to their roles as insiders at Ftx and its sister company Alameda Research, according to The Verge.
Wang was a co-founder of the Ftx cryptocurrency exchange and owned 10 percent of Alameda Research.
Ellison served as CEO of Bankman-Fried’s trading company Alameda Research.
Ellison pleaded guilty to seven counts and faces up to 110 years in prison. Wang pleaded guilty to four counts and faces up to 50 years in prison.
The...
Caroline Ellison and Zixiao “Gary” Wang, two executives in the bankrupt crypto exchange FTC, have pleaded guilty, according to Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
The guilty pleas were related to their roles as insiders at Ftx and its sister company Alameda Research, according to The Verge.
Wang was a co-founder of the Ftx cryptocurrency exchange and owned 10 percent of Alameda Research.
Ellison served as CEO of Bankman-Fried’s trading company Alameda Research.
Ellison pleaded guilty to seven counts and faces up to 110 years in prison. Wang pleaded guilty to four counts and faces up to 50 years in prison.
The...
- 12/22/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Caroline Ellison, CEO of Alameda Research, a privately-controlled hedge fund owned by Sam Bankman-Fried, and Gary Wang, co-founder of Ftx, both pleaded guilty to criminal charges, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Wednesday, according to ABC.
According to newly unsealed court documents, Ellison, who dated Bankman-Fried, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud on customers of Ftx, wire fraud on customers of Ftx, conspiracy to commit wire fraud on lenders of Alameda Research and wire fraud on lenders of Alameda Research, conspiracy to commit commodities fraud, conspiracy to commit...
According to newly unsealed court documents, Ellison, who dated Bankman-Fried, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud on customers of Ftx, wire fraud on customers of Ftx, conspiracy to commit wire fraud on lenders of Alameda Research and wire fraud on lenders of Alameda Research, conspiracy to commit commodities fraud, conspiracy to commit...
- 12/22/2022
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
Jen Shah is going to prison.
We've known that much about The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star since pleading guilty to one count of committing wire fraud earlier this year.
According to advisor guidelines, Shah faces 11 to 14 years in prison and has penned a letter asking a judge will give her a truncated, three-year sentence instead.
“The terrible business decisions I made and professional relationships I developed stemmed from some personal painful experiences that I was going through in my life,” Shah wrote in a four-page letter to the judge, according to CNN.
Shah's attorney said she never had direct contact with the victims. However, prosecutors accused Shah of coming up with leads who could be targeted.
“Jennifer Shah was a key participant in a nationwide scheme that targeted elderly, vulnerable victims,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement after the guilty plea.
“These victims were...
We've known that much about The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star since pleading guilty to one count of committing wire fraud earlier this year.
According to advisor guidelines, Shah faces 11 to 14 years in prison and has penned a letter asking a judge will give her a truncated, three-year sentence instead.
“The terrible business decisions I made and professional relationships I developed stemmed from some personal painful experiences that I was going through in my life,” Shah wrote in a four-page letter to the judge, according to CNN.
Shah's attorney said she never had direct contact with the victims. However, prosecutors accused Shah of coming up with leads who could be targeted.
“Jennifer Shah was a key participant in a nationwide scheme that targeted elderly, vulnerable victims,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement after the guilty plea.
“These victims were...
- 12/19/2022
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
San Francisco, Dec 13 (Ians) Sam Bankman-Fried (Sbf), the former CEO of bankrupt crypto exchange Ftx, has been arrested in the Bahamas, as he was expected to testify online before the US House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday.
The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York (Sdny), Damian Williams, confirmed the arrest on Twitter, saying that Bahamian authorities arrested Sbf at the request of the US government, based on a sealed indictment filed by the Sdny.
“We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time,” he posted on Tuesday.
John J. Ray III, who took over as the new CEO of Ftx, has said that never in his career have he “seen such a complete failure of corporate controls and such a complete absence of trustworthy financial information as occurred here.”A
In a statement from the Attorney General of The Bahamas,...
The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York (Sdny), Damian Williams, confirmed the arrest on Twitter, saying that Bahamian authorities arrested Sbf at the request of the US government, based on a sealed indictment filed by the Sdny.
“We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time,” he posted on Tuesday.
John J. Ray III, who took over as the new CEO of Ftx, has said that never in his career have he “seen such a complete failure of corporate controls and such a complete absence of trustworthy financial information as occurred here.”A
In a statement from the Attorney General of The Bahamas,...
- 12/13/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of the bankrupt crypto exchange Ftx, was arrested in the Bahamas on Monday based on a sealed indictment.
Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said on Twitter that Bahamian authorities had made the arrest.
“Earlier this evening, Bahamian authorities arrested Samuel Bankman-Fried at the request of the U.S. Government, based on a sealed indictment filed by the Sdny,” Williams said. “We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time.”
Bankman-Fried was expected to testify on Tuesday to a hearing before the House Financial Services Committee, which is looking into the collapse of Ftx.
The Bahamian government said Monday that it had received notice from U.S. authorities that charges have been filed. Once an extradition request has been filed, the Bahamas expects to process it “promptly.”
“The...
Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said on Twitter that Bahamian authorities had made the arrest.
“Earlier this evening, Bahamian authorities arrested Samuel Bankman-Fried at the request of the U.S. Government, based on a sealed indictment filed by the Sdny,” Williams said. “We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time.”
Bankman-Fried was expected to testify on Tuesday to a hearing before the House Financial Services Committee, which is looking into the collapse of Ftx.
The Bahamian government said Monday that it had received notice from U.S. authorities that charges have been filed. Once an extradition request has been filed, the Bahamas expects to process it “promptly.”
“The...
- 12/13/2022
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Aviron Pictures founder William Sadleir, an executive producer on projects including Kidnap, A Private War and Serenity, was sentenced Friday to six years in prison for swindling a BlackRock investment fund out of over 30 million.
A federal judge in New York delivered the sentence after Sadleir pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud relating to stealing millions of dollars the fund had invested in Aviron, according to court documents. He was also ordered to pay 31.6 million in restitution.
Sadleir was ousted from the indie film distributor in January 2020 after he and the company were sued by BlackRock for fraud. He was subsequently charged by federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The 68-year-old producer has also pleaded guilty to money laundering and fraud charges for pocketing nearly 1 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans meant to help Aviron stay afloat during the...
Aviron Pictures founder William Sadleir, an executive producer on projects including Kidnap, A Private War and Serenity, was sentenced Friday to six years in prison for swindling a BlackRock investment fund out of over 30 million.
A federal judge in New York delivered the sentence after Sadleir pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud relating to stealing millions of dollars the fund had invested in Aviron, according to court documents. He was also ordered to pay 31.6 million in restitution.
Sadleir was ousted from the indie film distributor in January 2020 after he and the company were sued by BlackRock for fraud. He was subsequently charged by federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The 68-year-old producer has also pleaded guilty to money laundering and fraud charges for pocketing nearly 1 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans meant to help Aviron stay afloat during the...
- 9/9/2022
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
John Boyega still can’t get over just how “incredible” it was to collaborate with the late Michael K. Williams in upcoming drama “Breaking.”
The film, directed by Abi Damaris Corbin, who also co-wrote the script with Kwame Kwei-Armah, tells the true story of a Marine Veteran who was denied support from Veterans Affairs and turned to taking an Atlanta bank hostage in 2017. Boyega plays veteran Brian Brown-Easley, with “The Wire” icon Williams portraying an officer tasked with talking Brown-Easley down.
“I actually requested him to be in this movie, and he came through,” Boyega told Entertainment Tonight about helping cast Williams. “[He] got paid peanuts just to be a part of the art, so we’ll forever love you, brother.”
Boyega added, “To see the trailer today brought back all those emotions and feelings and just being on set with him.”
“Breaking,” originally titled “892,” premiered at 2022 Sundance and won the...
The film, directed by Abi Damaris Corbin, who also co-wrote the script with Kwame Kwei-Armah, tells the true story of a Marine Veteran who was denied support from Veterans Affairs and turned to taking an Atlanta bank hostage in 2017. Boyega plays veteran Brian Brown-Easley, with “The Wire” icon Williams portraying an officer tasked with talking Brown-Easley down.
“I actually requested him to be in this movie, and he came through,” Boyega told Entertainment Tonight about helping cast Williams. “[He] got paid peanuts just to be a part of the art, so we’ll forever love you, brother.”
Boyega added, “To see the trailer today brought back all those emotions and feelings and just being on set with him.”
“Breaking,” originally titled “892,” premiered at 2022 Sundance and won the...
- 7/22/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Jen Shah may be headed to jail, but it doesn't look like she's disappearing from TV screens ... yet.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star on Monday pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Shah was arrested in March 2021, and the fallout of the arrest played out on the second season of the series.
On the show, Shah claimed she was innocent, but that all changed on Monday when she changed her plea.
The 48-year-old revealed to the judge that she lied to senior citizens by offering them business opportunities that would amount to little to no value to them.
“We used interstate telephones and emails. I knew many of the purchasers were over the age of 55,” Shah said.
“I am so sorry.”
“ knew it was wrong. Many people were harmed and I’m so sorry.”
The bombshell anouncement took many by surprise, especially because...
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star on Monday pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Shah was arrested in March 2021, and the fallout of the arrest played out on the second season of the series.
On the show, Shah claimed she was innocent, but that all changed on Monday when she changed her plea.
The 48-year-old revealed to the judge that she lied to senior citizens by offering them business opportunities that would amount to little to no value to them.
“We used interstate telephones and emails. I knew many of the purchasers were over the age of 55,” Shah said.
“I am so sorry.”
“ knew it was wrong. Many people were harmed and I’m so sorry.”
The bombshell anouncement took many by surprise, especially because...
- 7/12/2022
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Previously on July 11, 2022: Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah has reversed course, now pleading guilty to running a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme.
In an agreement with federal prosecutors, Shah pleaded guilty Monday to a count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to the Department of Justice news release. She originally pleaded not guilty in April 2021 to charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud.
“Jennifer Shah was a key participant in a nationwide scheme that targeted elderly, vulnerable victims,” said Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York in a statement. “These victims were sold false promises of financial security but instead Shah and her co-conspirators defrauded them out of their savings and left them with nothing to show for it. This Office is committed to rooting out these schemes whatever form they take.”
Shah faces up to 14 years...
In an agreement with federal prosecutors, Shah pleaded guilty Monday to a count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to the Department of Justice news release. She originally pleaded not guilty in April 2021 to charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud.
“Jennifer Shah was a key participant in a nationwide scheme that targeted elderly, vulnerable victims,” said Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York in a statement. “These victims were sold false promises of financial security but instead Shah and her co-conspirators defrauded them out of their savings and left them with nothing to show for it. This Office is committed to rooting out these schemes whatever form they take.”
Shah faces up to 14 years...
- 7/11/2022
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
A dual Russian-American citizen has been charged with acting as a covert Russian agent in the United States, according to a complaint filed in the U.S. Southern District of New York, CNN reports.
Elena Branson operated organizations that “sought to spread Russian propaganda,” the documents filed on Tuesday allege. She has been charged with six counts, including acting and conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the attorney general, willfully acting as an agent while failing to register under the Foreign Registration Act, conspiring to commit visa fraud,...
Elena Branson operated organizations that “sought to spread Russian propaganda,” the documents filed on Tuesday allege. She has been charged with six counts, including acting and conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the attorney general, willfully acting as an agent while failing to register under the Foreign Registration Act, conspiring to commit visa fraud,...
- 3/9/2022
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
Four men have been arrested in connection to the death of actor and producer Michael K. Williams. On Wednesday, Feb. 2, the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced that the men were arrested for allegedly selling Williams the fentanyl-laced heroine that led to his overdose in September. Known for his work on The Wire and Lovecraft Country, Williams died of acute intoxication from the "combined effects of fentanyl, p-fluorofentanyl, heroin and cocaine" in September, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed to E! News. He was 54. Damian Williams,...
- 2/2/2022
- E! Online
Four men were arrested and charged in relation to the overdose death of actor Michael K. Williams last September. On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the arrest of Irvin Cartagena, the man who allegedly “sold the deadly dose” of fentanyl-laced heroin to Williams the day before his death. He and three other men were charged with narcotics conspiracy for the distribution of fentanyl and heroin.
A release from the U.S. Attorney’s office included screengrabs of surveillance footage showing Williams and Cartagena allegedly “executing the hand-to-hand...
A release from the U.S. Attorney’s office included screengrabs of surveillance footage showing Williams and Cartagena allegedly “executing the hand-to-hand...
- 2/2/2022
- by Tomás Mier
- Rollingstone.com
Four people have been arrested in connection with the overdose death of Michael K Williams.
The New York Times shared the news.
Williams, the beloved star of hit TV shows The Wire and Lovecraft Country, was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment in September 2021.
He was 54.
Williams' death was ruled an accidental overdose by New York City's medical examiner.
The official cause of death was “acute intoxication by the combined effects of fentanyl, p-fluorofentanyl, heroin and cocaine.”
“Today, along with our law enforcement partners at the NYPD, we announce the arrests of members of a drug crew, including Irvin Cartagena, the man who we allege sold the deadly dose of drugs to Michael K. Williams,” said Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
According to the complaint filed, the four sold drugs in Williamsburg as part of a drug trafficking organization.
“Despite knowing that...
The New York Times shared the news.
Williams, the beloved star of hit TV shows The Wire and Lovecraft Country, was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment in September 2021.
He was 54.
Williams' death was ruled an accidental overdose by New York City's medical examiner.
The official cause of death was “acute intoxication by the combined effects of fentanyl, p-fluorofentanyl, heroin and cocaine.”
“Today, along with our law enforcement partners at the NYPD, we announce the arrests of members of a drug crew, including Irvin Cartagena, the man who we allege sold the deadly dose of drugs to Michael K. Williams,” said Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
According to the complaint filed, the four sold drugs in Williamsburg as part of a drug trafficking organization.
“Despite knowing that...
- 2/2/2022
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Five months after Michael K. Williams was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment, federal prosecutors have arrested four people in connection with “The Wire” actor’s drug overdose.
One of the four people is charged with selling the fentanyl-laced heroin that allegedly led to Williams’ death, according to The New York Times.
Williams died on September 6, 2021, with the medical examiner’s office later confirming that the “Lovecraft Country” Emmy nominee died of a drug overdose.
Manhattan federal prosecutors now say that Irvin Cartagena was allegedly caught on a security camera selling Williams the drugs. Cartagena was arrested in Puerto Rico on February 2, via NBC News. His three alleged co-conspirators, Hector Robles, Luis Cruz, and Carlos Macci, were arrested in New York City.
All four people face conspiracy charges, with a possible sentence of up to 40 years. Cartagena faces additional charges tied to Williams’ death that could get him an additional 20 years in jail.
One of the four people is charged with selling the fentanyl-laced heroin that allegedly led to Williams’ death, according to The New York Times.
Williams died on September 6, 2021, with the medical examiner’s office later confirming that the “Lovecraft Country” Emmy nominee died of a drug overdose.
Manhattan federal prosecutors now say that Irvin Cartagena was allegedly caught on a security camera selling Williams the drugs. Cartagena was arrested in Puerto Rico on February 2, via NBC News. His three alleged co-conspirators, Hector Robles, Luis Cruz, and Carlos Macci, were arrested in New York City.
All four people face conspiracy charges, with a possible sentence of up to 40 years. Cartagena faces additional charges tied to Williams’ death that could get him an additional 20 years in jail.
- 2/2/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Four men have been charged in connection with the death of actor of Michael K. Williams, who died of a drug overdose last year.
The four men, who are believed to be part of a drug distribution organization, were arrested on Tuesday and are in custody; one defendant was arrested in Puerto Rico. The news was announced in a release Wednesday from U.S. Attorney Damian Williams and New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell.
The “Wire” actor died in September after ingesting fentanyl-laced heroin.
The four men are Irvin Cartagena, Hector Robles, Luis Cruz and Carlos Macci. According to court papers unsealed on Wednesday, Williams died from drugs sold by a drug trafficking organization (of which the four are accused of being part of) that has operated in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Michael K. Williams, a prominent actor and producer, tragically overdosed in...
The four men, who are believed to be part of a drug distribution organization, were arrested on Tuesday and are in custody; one defendant was arrested in Puerto Rico. The news was announced in a release Wednesday from U.S. Attorney Damian Williams and New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell.
The “Wire” actor died in September after ingesting fentanyl-laced heroin.
The four men are Irvin Cartagena, Hector Robles, Luis Cruz and Carlos Macci. According to court papers unsealed on Wednesday, Williams died from drugs sold by a drug trafficking organization (of which the four are accused of being part of) that has operated in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Michael K. Williams, a prominent actor and producer, tragically overdosed in...
- 2/2/2022
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Just less than five months after Michael K. Williams was discovered dead in his Brooklyn home, four men have been arrested and charged with narcotics conspiracy in The Wire star’s death.
“Today, along with our law enforcement partners at the NYPD, we announce the arrests of members of a drug crew, including Irvin Cartagena, the man who we allege sold the deadly dose of drugs to Michael K. Williams,” Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said Wednesday morning about the fentanyl-laced heroin sold to Williams last September.
In near identical complaints (read them here and here) unveiled today, the DOJ alleged that over a period from “August 2020 to in or about January 2022,” Hector Robles, Luis Cruz, Carlos Macci and Irvin “Green Eyes” Cartagena sold drugs in Williamsburg as part of a larger “drug trafficking organization.” With vivid security camera photos and informant-aided info,...
“Today, along with our law enforcement partners at the NYPD, we announce the arrests of members of a drug crew, including Irvin Cartagena, the man who we allege sold the deadly dose of drugs to Michael K. Williams,” Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said Wednesday morning about the fentanyl-laced heroin sold to Williams last September.
In near identical complaints (read them here and here) unveiled today, the DOJ alleged that over a period from “August 2020 to in or about January 2022,” Hector Robles, Luis Cruz, Carlos Macci and Irvin “Green Eyes” Cartagena sold drugs in Williamsburg as part of a larger “drug trafficking organization.” With vivid security camera photos and informant-aided info,...
- 2/2/2022
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
The verdict is in for Ghislaine Maxwell. On Wednesday, Dec. 29, a jury returned a guilty verdict on five charges: conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, as well as two counts of perjury. The jury acquitted Maxwell of one count, enticement of a minor to travel and engage in illegal sex acts. E! News reached out to Maxwell's attorney for comment. In a statement released shortly after the verdict was announced, attorney Damian Williams applauded the prosecution, investigators and survivors....
- 12/29/2021
- E! Online
Ghislaine Maxwell was found guilty today of five of the six felony counts brought against her related to her work and relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein died in jail in 2019. His death was ruled a suicide.
Maxwell, 60, was convicted today on the following charges:
Conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts Conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity Transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors Perjury related to testimony given in 2016
The Manhattan jury found Maxwell not guilty of enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts.
Maxwell faces a maximum of 65 years in prison, but Judge Allison Nathan did not set a date for sentencing today.
Four women testified against Maxwell about what they said was her...
Maxwell, 60, was convicted today on the following charges:
Conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts Conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity Transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors Perjury related to testimony given in 2016
The Manhattan jury found Maxwell not guilty of enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts.
Maxwell faces a maximum of 65 years in prison, but Judge Allison Nathan did not set a date for sentencing today.
Four women testified against Maxwell about what they said was her...
- 12/29/2021
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
The Chiefs had a loud crowd behind them at their Arrowhead Stadium home and the best young quarterback in the game. They just didn’t have Tom Brady.
The wild and woolly Afc championship boiled down to this: quarterback Brady of the New England Patriots had the ball first in overtime. If you’re his opponent, that’s never a good thing, and Brady made them pay, resulting in a 37-31 New England victory.
The Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs were like prize fighters, trading scores in an exciting fourth quarter, scoring an Afc championship record 38 points in the period. Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker drilled a 39-yard field goal with eight seconds left to send the game to overtime.
That’s when the Pats won the overtime coin toss, and Brady surgically went to work on a fatigued Chiefs defense. Brady, referred to by many as the Greatest of...
The wild and woolly Afc championship boiled down to this: quarterback Brady of the New England Patriots had the ball first in overtime. If you’re his opponent, that’s never a good thing, and Brady made them pay, resulting in a 37-31 New England victory.
The Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs were like prize fighters, trading scores in an exciting fourth quarter, scoring an Afc championship record 38 points in the period. Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker drilled a 39-yard field goal with eight seconds left to send the game to overtime.
That’s when the Pats won the overtime coin toss, and Brady surgically went to work on a fatigued Chiefs defense. Brady, referred to by many as the Greatest of...
- 1/21/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
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