Money laundering

Published on: May 7, 2020

U.S. Justice Department Recovers a Total of $1.1 Billion in Largest Ever Civil Asset Forfeiture Claim

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has reached a settlement of its civil forfeiture case against Khadem al-Qubaisi, an Emirati businessman who allegedly misappropriated billions from a Malaysian investment development fund and laundered the money in the U.S. by buying high-end properties.

1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) is an investment development fund created by the Malaysian government to promote economic development in Malaysia through direct foreign investments and international partnerships. Its funds were intended to be used for improving the lives of the Malaysian people.

Published on: February 14, 2020

Telemedicine Companies Charged in $56 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

by Brian Silber

Federal prosecutors arrested the owners of two Georgia-based telemedicine companies on Feb. 4th on charges of conspiracy ranging from fraud to money laundering. Reinaldo Wilson, 51, and his wife, Jean Wilson, 49, allegedly led a scheme to receive kickbacks and bribes for ordering orthodontic braces through Medicare for people who didn’t need them. The indictment indicates the plan operated between March 2017 and April 2019.

Published on: February 10, 2020

Former President of McLean County Non-Profit Carol Babbitt Accused of Stealing $400K from Charity

by Brian Silber

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois announced the indictment of the former president of an Illinois-based non-profit organization for allegedly stealing more than $400,000 from the charity.

Carol Babbitt, 60, was charged with mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. She was released from custody on February 7 after her initial appearance in federal court. The press did not name an attorney for her.

Published on: January 17, 2020

Edwin Jim Garcia-Albarracin of Miami, FL, Accused of Defrauding $1.5 Million from U.S. Postal Service

by Brian Silber

A Miami man was arrested on federal charges for his alleged involvement in a $1.5 million fraud scheme that targeted the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced this week.

Edwin Jim Garcia-Albarracin of Miami was charged with 10 counts of wire fraud, 10 counts of mail fraud, and 12 counts of money laundering. The press did not name an attorney for him.

Published on: December 30, 2019

Lin Helena Halfon Accused of Attempting to Defraud $1 Million from Husband, Richard Rappaport of Tampa, FL

by Brian Silber

A 26-year-old Israeli woman was arrested on fraud charges in Florida last week after she allegedly tried to cash checks worth $1 million in the name of her 77-year-old husband, whom she married four months earlier.

Lin Helena Halfon faces charges of money laundering, organized fraud, and exploitation of an elderly person. She was ordered held on $1 million bond. It is unclear if she has acquired the services of an attorney.