White Collar Principal John Joseph Joined a Panel Discussion on Sept. 19 Examining Lessons Learned from Defense Victory in FirstPlus/Scarfo Fraud Trial
On September 19th, Internal Investigations & White Collar Defense Principal John N. Joseph joined a panel discussion, "Lessons Learned from FirstPlus Financial RICO Defense Victory." The discussion, sponsored by the Federal Bar Association, Criminal Law Committee, took place at 12:00 pm ET at Two Liberty Place, 50 South 16th Street, 22nd Floor in Philadelphia, PA (Map It).
The panel examined the case, outcome, and lessons from United States v. Scarfo et al. (Camden FirstPlus Financial RICO Prosecution). The 6-month RICO trial in federal district court resulted in reputed mafia member Nicodemo Scarfo, associate Salvatore Pelullo and two Texas mortgage executives being found guilty on all counts against them, including allegations of racketeering conspiracy and related offenses, such as securities fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, extortion, and money laundering.
However, Mr.Joseph’s co-representation of Gary McCarthy, a local business and tax attorney, resulted in an acquittal of all charges contained in the 25 count federal indictment against him. Attorneys David Adler and Donald Manno were also acquitted separately of similar charges. McCarthy and the two other attorneys were charged with conspiring to help to facilitate the illegal actions involved in the case.
In addition to Mr. Joseph, the panel also included: Barry Gross, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and Howard Bruce Klein, Law Offices of Howard Bruce Klein, P.C.