Friends of Ours

From Convicted Racketeer To Drunk Driver

Melvyn Weiss, the once high-flying legal eagle who made a fortune by bringing securities fraud class actions against publicly traded companies, "admitted to a California federal judge Friday that he violated the terms of his supervised release by driving under the influence of alcohol in Florida" as reported by Ciaran McEvoy for Law360.

Weiss was a founding partner of Milberg Weiss, and was convicted in 2008 on a racketeering charge for his role in an alleged decades-long scheme in which serial plaintiffs were paid kickbacks out of the attorneys' fees for filing their shareholder lawsuits.

The disbarred lawyer was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison, and still on probation last December when pulled over for allegedly doing 90 mph in a 65 mph zone in Boynton Beach, FL as then reported by Toni-Ann Miller for The Palm Beach Post:

When the deputy approached the vehicle, he said he smelled alcohol on the driver's breath and that the driver appeared impaired. The report says the driver's eyes were "bloodshot and glassy," his speech was slurred, and he was unsteady on his feet.

According to the deputy's report Weiss claimed he had only one or two drinks at the golf club, and asked why he was "doing this to him?"

Further reading that may be of interest:

Congress Must Investigate The Trial Lawyers

Convicted Racketeer Mel Weiss Faces DUI Charge

Melvyn Weiss, the once high-flying legal eagle who made a fortune by bringing securities fraud class actions against publicly traded companies, faces a DUI charge after he was pulled over yesterday for allegedly doing 90 mph in a 65 mph zone in Boynton Beach, FL as reported by Toni-Ann Miller for The Palm Beach Post:

When the deputy approached the vehicle, he said he smelled alcohol on the driver's breath and that the driver appeared impaired. The report says the driver's eyes were "bloodshot and glassy," his speech was slurred, and he was unsteady on his feet.

According to the deputy's report Weiss claimed he had only one or two drinks at the golf club, and asked why he was "doing this to him?"

Weiss was a founding partner of Milberg Weiss, and was convicted in 2008 on a racketeering charge for his role in an alleged decades-long scheme in which serial plaintiffs were paid kickbacks out of the attorneys' fees for filing their shareholder lawsuits.  The disbarred lawyer was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison, and apparently still is on probation.

Further reading that may be of interest:

Congress Must Investigate The Trial Lawyers

Report: Russian Mafia Behind Stockbroker Killings

The FBI believes it has solved the 1999 murders of crooked stockbrokers Alan Chalem and Mayir Lehmann in Colts Neck, NJ as reported by John Marzulli for the Daily News.  The victims supposedly were involved with "pump and dump" schemes which used high pressure sales tactics ("the pump") in order to sell worthless stocks ("the dump") to unsophisticated investors, and Russian businessmen allegedly hired hit men to whack the pair rather than pay their $5 million cut of the illicit gains.   No word on when arrests will be made.

Errand Boy For Reputed Mobsters Gets 6 Months

Todd Stark received six months in prison after pleading guilty to purchasing two boxes of 9mm bullets for reputed Lucchese soldier Lucchese soldier Nicodemo "Junior" Scarfo as reported by Sam Wood for The Inquirer.

Stark was the driver for alleged Scarfo associate Salvatore Pelullo, and in a December 2007 telephone conversation secretly recorded by the FBI Pelullo seemingly asked Stark to purchase the ammo for Scarfo to which Stark replied "absolutely."

Scarfo and Pelullo were indicted last November for their alleged roles in the extortionate takeover and systematic looting of the publicly-traded mortgage company FirstPlus Financial Group, Inc.

Salvatore Pelullo Blogs From Jail

Salvatore Pelullo was indicted last year for his alleged role in the extortionate takeover and systematic looting of publicly-traded mortgage company FirstPlus Financial Group, Inc., and as he stews in jail awaiting trial is venting through a blog as reported by George Anastasia for The Inquirer: 

A friend of Pelullo's, who set up the blog, said "he wants to get people interested in his case . . . and aware of what's going on."  The friend, who asked not to be identified, said Pelullo sends his posts via regular mail or e-mail and they are then transferred to the blog site.

Others indicted for their alleged roles in the case include reputed Lucchese soldier Nicodemo "Junior" Scarfo.