NEW YORK: Federal jurors convicted a New Jersey man on fraud and money laundering charges after his previous 24-year prison sentence over a Ponzi scheme was commuted by President Donald Trump in his first term.
Eliyahu “Eli” Weinstein, 49, was found guilty on Monday of defrauding more than 150 investors of US$41mil, while falsely promising to invest their money in Covid-19 masks, scarce baby formula and first-aid kits bound for Ukraine.
Prosecutors said Weinstein began a new crime spree soon after serving less than eight years in prison.
He called himself “Mike Konig” to hide his identity from friends and family, who invested in his bogus deals.
As the fraud progressed, he was secretly recorded by co-conspirators. Weinstein attorney Ilana Haramati said she intended to appeal and may seek another reprieve from Trump. — Bloomberg
