N.Y. lawyer used law firm as ‘personal gold mine,’ prosecutors charge

(Reuters) – A New York attorney stole more than $1.2 million from his law agency and invested it on a diamond-encrusted Cartier view, a $57,000 diamond ring, loved ones credit rating card charges and other particular costs, Manhattan prosecutors reported Wednesday.

Arthur Cohen, 71, was charged with 35 counts such as grand larceny, criminal tax fraud, providing a false instrument for filing, falsifying organization records and perjury.

Cohen did not instantly reply to a ask for for comment.

As senior fairness associate and treasurer of Manhattan’s now-defunct Gordon & Silber, Cohen used the firm as his “personal gold mine at the expense of his partners and co-employees,” Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg mentioned in a assertion.

In addition to the $40,000 diamond check out, ring and other purchases, Cohen allegedly employed stolen agency cash for luxurious resort stays, to “services luxury vehicles” and to pay a lot more than $100,000 for his son’s American Convey card.

To cover his tracks, Cohen fabricated accounting entries and price experiences, prosecutors mentioned.

The scheme lasted from January 2014 to February 2020, when Cohen was suspended from Gordon & Silber, prosecutors mentioned. The business demanded he repay at minimum some of the money, but rather Cohen sued the organization in New York County Supreme Court, according to the D.A.’s office environment and court records.

Cohen submitted paperwork that contains false details in the civil case and dedicated perjury when he falsely denied thieving from the organization, prosecutors said. That scenario remained energetic as of final thirty day period.

Leah Kelman, a partner at Herrick Feinstein who is symbolizing Cohen in the civil situation, declined to remark.

(Up-to-date with info on an attorney for Cohen.)

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