Related Federal Cases
Canadian Deputy Health Minister Impersonator Pleads Guilty in $25 Million Fraud Scheme
BROOKLYN, NY – Howard Leventhal, 56, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for defrauding and attempting to defraud a number of individuals and entities of millions of dollars by falsely claiming that his company, Neovision USA, Inc. (“Neovision”), had a lucrative contract with Canada’s Department of Health (“Health Canada”).
Leventhal also pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory two-year term of imprisonment, for stealing the identity of Glenda Yeates, Health Canada’s former Deputy Minister of Health. When sentenced on April 3, 2014, Leventhal faces up to 22 years in prison, $1,050,819.78 in forfeiture and restitution, and a fine of more than $2 million.
The guilty plea was announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and George Venizelos, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI).
“In Leventhal’s world, the truth was cloaked by his web of lies and impersonation. Within this alternate reality, Leventhal marketed nonexistent technology, fabricated an on-line presence, and impersonated a government official, all to defraud investors out of very real money. His actions were the stuff of fantasy and science fiction, valid only in another dimension. Today’s guilty plea marks the end of Leventhal’s elaborate scheme and demonstrates this Office’s steadfast commitment to protect investors from fraud,” stated United States Attorney Lynch.
According to court filings and facts presented at the plea hearing, Leventhal told potential investors that Neovision had written agreements with Health Canada, whereby Neovision would provide Health Canada with “Heltheo’s McCoy Home Health Tablet,” a device ostensibly named after the fictional Dr. Leonard McCoy of TV’s Star Trek series. The written agreement provided by Leventhal to potential investors was purportedly signed by Glenda Yeates, Canada’s former Deputy Health Minister, on behalf of the government of Canada.
Leventhal’s scheme involved using the purported agreement with Health Canada to solicit more than $25 million from other potential investors, including an undercover law enforcement agent posing as a high net worth individual. Contrary to Leventhal’s representations, there was no agreement between Health Canada and Neovision, and Health Canada did not owe Neovision any money. Deputy Health Minister Glenda Yeates’ signature on the agreement was a forgery.
Today’s guilty plea took place before United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan. The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Winston M. Paes.
This announcement is part of efforts underway by President Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) which was created in November 2009 to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes.
Defendant: Howard Leventhal
Criminal Charges: Wire fraud, aggravated identity theft
City and State: Brooklyn, NY
Exact Date: April 3, 2014
Sentence or Outcome: Up to 22 years in prison, $1,050,819.78 in forfeiture and restitution, and a fine of more than $2 million.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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