Eric Conn

[jessejames]

We can just hope that Mr. Conn does not get involved in the business of exporting assault weapons.

[ssa]

Eric Conn just might have been caught.


www.wkyt.com/content/news/Fugitive-Eric-C-Conn-captured-in-Honduras-461949873.html?ref=873

(Edited to include better link)

[JudgeKnot]

ssa thanks for sharing that. Great news!

[Pixie]

Let's hope this is a legitimate capture by the government and not a snatch and grab by one of the gangs down there.

[stevil]

If he stole as much as claimed and has access to it, I'm betting he will miraculously "escape" custody before he is ever extradited.

[acttwo]

When it made the World News Roundup on CBS radio, I finally believed. They obviously really wanted this guy. So, to my friends who have knowledge of criminal penalties, what additional time should he expect for the fleeing and eluding part of this? Or are we just hoping some of his fellow inmates are relatives of his victims?

[JudgeKnot]

I read an article this morning, and my recollection is that he could be facing life in prison.

[rp]

Dec 5, 2017 9:38:38 GMT -5 acttwo said:

When it made the World News Roundup on CBS radio, I finally believed. They obviously really wanted this guy. So, to my friends who have knowledge of criminal penalties, what additional time should he expect for the fleeing and eluding part of this? Or are we just hoping some of his fellow inmates are relatives of his victims?

He will get an enhancement for obstruction and he won’t get any reduction for pleading guilty. Additionally, the Judge could give him up to the statutory maximum if the Judge found facts that warranted it. This flight could be those facts.

BTW: If I recall correctly, I predicted that he would be caught. They always are.

[hope2017]

The report said Conn is to be transferred back to the US the next day (which would be today, December 5th). Hopefully, the transfer takes place before the federal government shutdown on December 8th.

[jessejames]

Here is an NPR story with more details:

www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/05/568525847/u-s-fugitive-eric-conn-guilty-in-550-million-fraud-is-captured-in-Honduras

[jessejames]

Hopefully, this will discourage similar fraud in the future, not only by attorneys, but by judges who swore an oath and should have known better.

[rp]

Dec 5, 2017 13:08:16 GMT -5 hope2017 said:

The report said Conn is to be transferred back to the US the next day (which would be today, December 5th). Hopefully, the transfer takes place before the federal government shutdown on December 8th.

I am sure you meant that in jest. But just in case - law enforcement activities are always deemed essential and to my knowledge have never been shut down. Budgets curtailed - but not shutdown. If he isn’t already back he will be.

[SPN Lifer]

Dec 5, 2017 9:38:38 GMT -5 acttwo said:

When it made the World News Roundup on CBS radio, I finally believed. They obviously really wanted this guy. So, to my friends who have knowledge of criminal penalties, what additional time should he expect for the fleeing and eluding part of this?

Dec 5, 2017 11:44:24 GMT -5 rp said:

He will get an enhancement for obstruction and he won’t get any reduction for pleading guilty. Additionally, the Judge could give him up to the statutory maximum if the Judge found facts that warranted it. This flight could be those facts.

On July 12, Conn was sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison. A federal judge also ordered him to pay nearly $170 million in restitution, along with a $50,000 fine and a forfeiture judgment of $5,750,404. That figure of some $5.7 million represents money the Social Security Administration paid to Conn.

www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/05/568525847/u-s-fugitive-eric-conn-guilty-in-550-million-fraud-is-captured-in-honduras

Since Conn has already been sentenced in connection with the fraud charges, a new prosecution would have to be initiated for the escape charge.

It is too late to apply USSG enhancements on the old charges.

[rp]

Dec 5, 2017 15:57:05 GMT -5 SPN Lifer said:

Dec 5, 2017 9:38:38 GMT -5 acttwo said:

When it made the World News Roundup on CBS radio, I finally believed. They obviously really wanted this guy. So, to my friends who have knowledge of criminal penalties, what additional time should he expect for the fleeing and eluding part of this?

Dec 5, 2017 11:44:24 GMT -5 rp said:

He will get an enhancement for obstruction and he won’t get any reduction for pleading guilty. Additionally, the Judge could give him up to the statutory maximum if the Judge found facts that warranted it. This flight could be those facts.

On July 12, Conn was sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison. A federal judge also ordered him to pay nearly $170 million in restitution, along with a $50,000 fine and a forfeiture judgment of $5,750,404. That figure of some $5.7 million represents money the Social Security Administration paid to Conn.

www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/05/568525847/u-s-fugitive-eric-conn-guilty-in-550-million-fraud-is-captured-in-honduras

Since Conn has already been sentenced in connection with the fraud charges, a new prosecution would have to be initiated for the escape charge.

It is too late to apply USSG enhancements on the old charges.

Goodness! I’ve only been out of the business for a few weeks and I’ve already lost my skills as a litigator and FPD. Good thing I was lucky enough to get this ALJ gig! Thanks SPN Lifer!

[acttwo]

Dec 5, 2017 15:57:05 GMT -5 SPN Lifer said:

Dec 5, 2017 9:38:38 GMT -5 acttwo said:

When it made the World News Roundup on CBS radio, I finally believed. They obviously really wanted this guy. So, to my friends who have knowledge of criminal penalties, what additional time should he expect for the fleeing and eluding part of this?

Dec 5, 2017 11:44:24 GMT -5 rp said:

He will get an enhancement for obstruction and he won’t get any reduction for pleading guilty. Additionally, the Judge could give him up to the statutory maximum if the Judge found facts that warranted it. This flight could be those facts.

On July 12, Conn was sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison. A federal judge also ordered him to pay nearly $170 million in restitution, along with a $50,000 fine and a forfeiture judgment of $5,750,404. That figure of some $5.7 million represents money the Social Security Administration paid to Conn.

www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/05/568525847/u-s-fugitive-eric-conn-guilty-in-550-million-fraud-is-captured-in-honduras

Since Conn has already been sentenced in connection with the fraud charges, a new prosecution would have to be initiated for the escape charge.

It is too late to apply USSG enhancements on the old charges.

Am I reading that correctly, $170 million? No missing commas or decimal points? My goodness gracious!

[JudgeKnot]

The Conn man is on his way back to the States. www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/12/05/kentucky-lawyer-who-pleaded-guilty-to-massive-social-security-scam-apprehended-in-honduras/?utm_term=.fe6e3e058e1b

"Jennifer Griffith, a whistleblower whose efforts helped lead to Conn’s conviction, celebrated on Twitter, saying that the photo of Conn surrounded by masked members of a Honduran SWAT team would be her Christmas card this year." That is classic.

[hope2017]

I did not mean that in jest as RP suggests.  I do have a basic understanding of how government works and would expect that national defense and law enforcement functions would not be compromised in a government shutdown.  I would expect that not every federal employee is going to continue working if there is a federal shutdown and some helpful support staff and others may be unavailable.  That is why I hoped Conn would be in federal custody and back in the US before the impending shutdown.   

[alohastate]

Dec 5, 2017 21:20:54 GMT -5 @usij said:

The worst part of all of this is that Eric Conn: 1. probably doesn't have the funds to repay the judgment, restitution, and fine; 2. wouldn't pay it if he had it; and 3. did not receive a sentence commensurate with the crime he committed.

Now, if he received the attorney fees via direct deposit instead of the "paper checks," it would be wonderful to see the FBI trace the money to the account(s) that currently hold the funds, "seize" them, and turn it over to the court clerk.

(Wouldn't be surprised if he tried to strike a deal with his captors: the money in exchange for them refusing to extradite him.)

 To me, the worst part is the effect on his clients and their families.  My guess is that a lot of his clients had legitimate claims, that were processed illegitimately without their knowledge, and that they have likely suffered quite a bit.

[alohastate]

Dec 7, 2017 21:31:54 GMT -5 2rvrrun said:

Dec 6, 2017 8:16:29 GMT -5 JudgeKnot said:

The Conn man is on his way back to the States. www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/12/05/kentucky-lawyer-who-pleaded-guilty-to-massive-social-security-scam-apprehended-in-honduras/?utm_term=.fe6e3e058e1b

"Jennifer Griffith, a whistleblower whose efforts helped lead to Conn’s conviction, celebrated on Twitter, saying that the photo of Conn surrounded by masked members of a Honduran SWAT team would be her Christmas card this year." That is classic.

His six months on the lam seems to have produced a pallor.  Did his biceps and lower arm muscles atrophy?  Maybe that is what happens on a diet of pizza and fear. 

Perhaps he will file for disability at some future time .


www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10133.pdf

Pizza and fear, I like that one!  

[jessejames]

Conn has made it back to Kentucky:

www.abajournal.com/news/article/fugitive_lawyer_who_pleaded_guilty_in_550m_disability_fraud_scheme_is_captu/?utm_source=maestro&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly_email