James F. Lagona, Obstruction of Justice, New York 2012

A convicted fraudster who tried to escape charges by exertting pressure on a US Attorney’s spouse has pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice.

James F. Lagona, 52, of Snyder, N.Y., pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging him with one count of endeavoring to influence, obstruct and impede the due administration of justice.

Lagona was arrested on November 15, 2012, and has been detained since. He was found guilty of 27 counts of felony mail fraud on February 23, 2011, following a jury trial in the Western District of New York.

During his guilty plea proceeding, Lagona admitted to obtaining a private meeting with a campaign staffer working for US Representative Kathy Hochul of New York. Lagona claimed to have been involved in discussions with the political party of Hochul’s election opponent and falsely claimed that the opponent’s party was interested in featuring him in an advertisement or rally.

Lagona told the campaign staffer that he would instead publicly support Hochul if her spouse, Western District of New York US Attorney William J. Hochul Jr., dismissed the criminal case against him. The campaign staffer subsequently reported the meeting to the FBI.

Lagona faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine at sentencing, currently scheduled for March 20, 2013.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney J.P. Cooney of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and investigated by the FBI, Buffalo Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Piehota.

Lagona’s guilty plea is a significant blow to his attempt to escape charges, and it highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in government.

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