Related Federal Cases
Local Defense Attorney Convicted in Connection to Scheme to Obstruct Justice
Houston, Texas – In a shocking verdict, Abraham Moses Fisch, a 56-year-old Houston-based defense attorney, has been found guilty of 18 counts, including conspiracy, obstruction of justice, money laundering, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and failure to file tax returns.
The conviction comes after a 15-day trial and 14 hours of deliberation by the jury. Lloyd Glen Williams, a 67-year-old former used car financier in Houston, pleaded guilty to conspiring to obstruct justice and filing a false tax return.
According to evidence presented at trial, Fisch and Williams conspired to defraud defendants facing federal charges in Houston. The scheme, which targeted at least four different federal cases, involved promising defendants that Williams would pay off government officials in exchange for a guaranteed dismissal of charges.
However, it was revealed that no officials were paid, and the cases were not dismissed. Fisch and Williams simply split the fees, totaling at least $1.1 million, between themselves.
The scam had far-reaching consequences, undermining the federal justice system by misleading defendants about the cooperation process and interfering with plea negotiations. It also damaged defendants’ relationships with their legitimate counsel, causing them to fire their attorneys and withholding information from them.
Fisch was convicted of money laundering based on the deposit of funds earned from the scheme, totaling at least $1,150,000. The government is seeking forfeiture of this amount, which is believed to be derived from the criminal activity.
Fisch faces up to five years for conspiracy, 10 years on each of the four counts of obstruction of justice, 10 years for each of the seven counts of money laundering, 10 years for conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one year for each of the five counts of failure to file tax returns.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Johnson and John P. Pearson.
The sentencing hearing for Fisch has been set for September 29, 2015. He was permitted to remain on bond pending the hearing.
RELATED: Texas Tax Preparer Sentenced for 33 Counts of Tax Fraud
RELATED: Fugitive Lawyer Brought to Justice
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News