Top NY Court Reinstates Felony Charges Against PI Firm Over Retainer Filings
In the latest twist in an unusual criminal case against a law firm, New York’s top court has reinstated felony charges brought against Silverman & Taylor over alleged factual misstatements in filed retainer agreements.
Initially convicted in 2005, following a two-week bench trial, of filing a false instrument, Silverman & Taylor won a reversal in an intermediate appeal. At that point, the Appellate Division, Second Department, found a lack of intent to defraud on the Long Island law firm’s part, reports the New York Law Journal.
However, the Court of Appeals saw the case differently, reversing and remanding last week for “proper legal analysis,” the legal publication reports.
The firm was accused by former state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer of engaging in an “ambulance-chasing” arrangement involving alleged illegal payments to health care providers and “steerers” to provide clients for an insurance scheme.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “NY Appeals Court Tosses Conviction of PI Law Firm and Name Partner”
