Elaborate Cross Dressing Scheme puts One Man Behind Bars

by Pete Strom on May 7, 2012

A man dressed up like his dead mother for six years to steal $115,000 in benefits.

You can’t make this kind of bizarre behavior up.

Thomas Prusik-Parkin is accused of donning a wig, wearing heavy make-up and his mother’s dresses, and using a cane to pull off his scheme.

The elaborate scheme began when Prusik-Parkin gave the funeral director the wrong Social Security number and date of birth for his mother. This enabled her death to not be registered in government databases. The scheme was able to last for six-years, with Prusik-Parkin cashing on his mother’s Social Security payments and collecting rent subsidies on the $2.2 million Brooklyn apartment she had left him. Prusik-Parkin, at the same time, was also collecting his own disability payments.

Prusik-Parkin also posed as his mother to file for bankruptcy so “she” would be eligible for $39,000 in city subsidies to help pay the rent on an apartment.

It seems Prusik-Parkin “ratted” his own self out when he went to a prosecutor in the disguise to complain about being ripped off by the man who bought the apartment for $660,000 in a foreclosure auction.

Prusik-Parkin’s mother died in September of 2003, at the age of 73. Prusik-Parkin, through his scheme, was able to receive benefits until June of 2009.

His accomplice in his scheme was Mhilton Rimolo, 44. Rimolo posed as the woman’s nephew to help aid Prusik-Parkin in receiving the benefits.

Rimolo pleaded guilty to his part of the fraud and served less than one year in prison.

Prusik-Parkin stated in a 2009 interview, he was fan of Norman Bates, the main character from the 1960 film, “Psycho”. Bates spied on and killed women, then imagining them to be his mother.

Prusik-Parkin was arrested in 2009 on grand larceny, forgery and conspiracy charges; if found guilty of grand larceny, Prusik-Parkin could face 25 years in prison.

Prusik-Parkin’s attorney, Morris Shamuil stated that there was “absolutely no proof” that his client dressed up as his mother.

Prisoners can now Purchase MP3 Players While Incarcerated

by Pete Strom on April 2, 2012

Prisoners will now be allowed to purchase and use MP3 players while incarcerated. While inmates will be allowed to have them in their possession, inmates will be restricted from listening to obscene or offensive material.

An MP3 player  may be purchased at the commissary. The program, which is currently being tested at a woman’s unit in West Virginia,  is expected to expand to the rest of the U.S. prison system by year’s end.

Each inmate’s song list will be carefully monitored for explicit tracks. Tracks will be deemed explicit if they contain obscene or racially charged language. The list of prohibited tracks will be created by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and will be based on the Recording Industry Association of America’s content rating system.

Outside of the song lists, prison officials will need to closely monitor the abuse of MP3 players especially with regard to their use as currency inside prisons.

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman, Traci Billingsley, believes these MP3 players will make prisons safer, stating, “The MP3 program is intended to help inmates deal with issues such as idleness, stress, and boredom associated with incarceration.”

Director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Prison Project, David Fathi, stated that the program represented a “positive step” toward improving security and giving inmates a link to the outside world. Fathi stated that music “allows for an important connection (with life on the outside) that assists with their re-entry” to society.

Safe Purchased on eBay Contained $26,000 in Cash

by Pete Strom on April 2, 2012

Imagining opening a safe you purchased on eBay and finding $26,000 in cash.

As crazy as it sounds, a Bartlett, Tennessee man found just that.

The unidentified Bartlett man bought the safe on eBay for a mere $122.93 from James Labrecque.

Lacbrecque has been using eBay for more than 15 years. He sold the safe after finding it and not knowing the combination.

“I thought it was empty,” Lacbrecque said. “I shook it and I didn’t feel anything inside of it, so I figured, well, maybe it’s just a locked safe, you know. So I put it on eBay.”

Lacbrecque, who lives in California, says he became aware of the cash after the buyer, from Bartlett, left a positive review where he shared the news of his discovery.

The buyer took the safe to a welder, who then cut it open. Inside the buyer found the $26,000 in cash.

“I feel like the stupidest idiot in the world,” said Labrecque. “I told my friend, I won the stupidest idiot in the world award the other day, you know. I gave away a safe with $26,000 in it.”

After hearing of the discovery, Lacbrecque felt he deserved part of the cash. The buyer, who remains unidentified, responded back by saying Lacbrecque’s seller policy stated: “What you see is what you get, no returns, and no money back.”

Lacbrecque responded by saying, “That’s a chunk of change, you know. That’s life-altering money.” He continued by saying, “I mean, if I was in that situation and I found that kind of money and I bought it from someone, I’d say, ‘Here man, I found this money. I’ll give you half of it.’”

What would you do?

Medicare, Medicaid, & Health Care Fraud Defense

by Pete Strom on February 15, 2012

Defending a Medicare or Medicaid Fraud Claim

Medicare and Medicaid fraud reportedly cost the Federal government billions of dollars each year.  Last year, the Federal Government recovered an estimated 4.1 billion dollars in fraudulent healthcare payments.   If you are a healthcare provider, you know that Medicare or Medicaid billing errors or mistakes can not be taken lightly.

If you are accused of Fraudulent Medicare or Medicaid billing practices, it is important to understand that you face serious consequences including the loss of ability to participate in government programs, criminal charges, and the loss of your professional license.

A Medicaid or Medicare fraud  investigation may stem from an accusation that you:

  • over-billed for services provided and/or billed for services not rendered;
  • falsified information or provided false information;
  • provided services that were not medically necessary; and/or
  • unlawfully received benefits.

In order for a health care facility or doctor to be convicted of fraud, the government must establish that the “errors” were intentional.

This can be a difficult task because Medicare and Medicaid are governed by strict regulations that can be difficult to understand.  Given the difficulty, unintentional mistakes are common when filing paperwork or completing billing information.

According to Health and Human Services (“HHS”), increased Medicare and Medicaid recovery efforts resulted in a 50% increase in judgments and payment settlements between the years 2009 and 2011.

The Federal government is also cracking down on health care fraud.

Heath Care fraud is a type of white-collar crime that involves filing a dishonest claim to turn a profit. Health care fraud can include fraudulent billing for services.

Common accusations include:

  • billing for services not rendered;
  • rendering an unnecessary service;
  • prescribing the use of unnecessary medical equipment, or medical procedures;
  • receiving kickbacks or engaging in self-interested referrals.
A common mistake that many professionals make is thinking that they can handle a Medicare, Medicaid, or healthcare fraud investigation on their own. Given what is at stake, if you are under investigation or facing an indictment give us a call today for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights. 803.252.4800

Cigarette Trafficking Ring Busted

by Pete Strom on February 15, 2012

Eleven men have been charged with operating an underground cigarette trafficking ring.

The men ran the multimillion-dollar cigarette trafficking ring out of North and South Carolina. The Post and Courier of Charleston reports that although the suspects were arrested in November, Federal court documents were sealed until last week.

The men are alleged to have purchased 6,800 cases of Marlboro cigarettes at half the market price. The suspects thought what they were buying were stolen goods. In reality, they were receiving the cigarettes from undercover law enforcement officers.

Investigators say black market cigarettes sales are not new. Essentially, people bring in cigarettes from states with lower taxes and sell them at a discount to states with higher taxes. This practice is estimated to cost the government $5 billion a year in lost taxes and revenue.

The suspects are also charged with laundering the money given to them by the undercover agents.

Meth Lab and Infant Found in SC Hotel Room

by Pete Strom on January 25, 2012

Kershaw County Deputies arrested a couple after finding a meth lab and child in a hotel room.

Heather Leann Studd, 26, and Jonathan Michael Pope, 26, have been charged with possession of methamphetamine. Studd also faces a charge of possession of Schedule IV narcotics.

The child found in the hotel room is believed to belong to the couple and is now in the Department of Social Services’ protective custody.

Police received a tip on January 13 that took them to room 12 of the Economy Inn on U.S. 1. Police found Studd and Pope inside along with a small amount of meth and instruments used to smoke the drug, says Kershaw County Sherriff Jim Matthews.

Matthews also said Pope told them that Christopher Britt Walker, 27, was using room 19 to make meth. When the fumes would get bad in room 19, they would go to room 12.

By: South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer Pete Strom

Upon receiving a search warrant, investigators entered room 19 and found equipment used to make meth and also an undisclosed amount of meth.

Clothing and other evidence led Police believe that Walker and Nicole Marie Goodwin, 24, were the occupants of the room.

Studd and Pope were arrested and taken to Kershaw County Detention Center. Currently, arrest warrants have been issued for Walker and Goodwin, but neither has been arrested.

SC Company Sues Ex Employee for Stealing Twitter Followers

by Pete Strom on January 25, 2012

South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyers

Do you have rights to someone who follows you on twitter?

WLTX-TV is reporting that an Internet company is suing a former employee, claiming he left the corporation and took his 17,000 Twitter followers with him.

PhoneDog LLC says the former employee  owes them $340,000 because when he resigned to do freelance work, he changed his Twitter name from PhoneDog–Noah to noahkravitz, and kept his followers.  He also went to work for a competitor.

Kravitz, of Oakland, Calif., says in court documents he and his new company did not do anything wrong.

PhoneDog is a website that reviews all mobile devices such as phones and tablets. It has offices based in Mount Pleasant, S.C., along the coast.

PhoneDog said in the lawsuit that the former employee should pay $2.50 per follower per month for eight months. He worked for PhoneDog from 2006 until last year.

A hearing is set for next month.

By: South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer Pete Strom

Police Developing New Device to Detect Weapons without Frisking

by Pete Strom on January 25, 2012

A new product is being tested in the fight against crime.

Police are developing a product that can detect a weapon on a suspect eliminating the need to frisk a suspect.

The device uses infrared rays to scan the body for natural energy, like radiation, emitted from someone carrying a concealed weapon on the street.

Police will be able to determine if something is obstructing the flow of energy and see the location of the obstruction. This will give a blueprint of where a weapon is located. Police believe that this new device could be especially useful in finding suicide bomber vests, according to Newsday.

The device currently only works for short range. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelley said it only works around three to four feet away from a person. Kelly hopes the device, which is mounted atop NYPD vans, will work for distances of at least 25 meters.

The police are working hand in hand with the US Department of Defense to develop the device.  If successful, this device will likely end the traditional frisk.  Frisking skyrocketed last year by 13 percent.

Many fear this new device would be an invasion of their privacy, similar to the “naked” body scans in airports.

Police are hoping this device along with others could prevent deaths, like that of off duty officer, Omar J. Edwards, 25, that occurred last week.

Edwards had just finished his shift when he witnessed a burglary. Edwards drew his weapon and chased the suspect. Police were responding to the call when Edwards was shot.

Police are hoping to develop a device that use radio frequency tags to show officers where other cops are in the city. Another idea for the device is to use tags that will work gun-to-gun and use an infrared sensor. Basically, when a weapon is pulled from a nearby officer’s holster a signal would be triggered, either seen or heard, and would be sent to the gun of the nearby officer.

Police are hoping these new devices may be the answer to many of their problems.

By: South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer Pete Strom

Synthetic Marijuana Use on the Rise in High Schools

by Pete Strom on December 14, 2011

Teenage drinking and cigarette smoking is at a historic low, but that isn’t stopping high schoolers from experimenting with other recreational drugs. Marijuana use and prescription drug abuse are continuing at high rates, and according to a new startling trend report that focuses on teens, 1 in 9 high school seniors are abusing a dangerous, but readily available new drug known as synthetic marijuana.

More than 11 percent of 12th graders admitted using synthetic marijuana, also known as “Spice” or “K2” by the seniors, over the last year.

The Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), Gil Kerlikoeske, called the results shocking.

“One in nine 12th graders in America have used synthetic marijuana in the last year. Spice and K2 now rank as the second most frequently used illegal drug among high school seniors, second only to marijuana,” Kerlikowske said

Until recently, synthetic marijuana was being sold as a legal alternative to the real drug in convenience stores all over the country. Then, the DEA sent an emergency order banning the sale of the five chemicals used to make the synthetic marijuana that took effect March 1.

Police are appealing to parents to help combat the spread of the synthetic drug, which can have the same effects as marijuana including impaired driving and judgment. Since synthetic marijuana is a relatively new phenomenon, police say that many parents aren’t even aware it exists and don’t know that it is a rising problem.

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy is working on a federal initiative in response to Spice/K2 that includes working with public health organizations to share statistics and data and coordinate a response. They are also working with Congress to get new laws passed that will ban these drugs.

Researchers say next year’s survey will reveal more about the effectiveness of the control measures, since much of this year’s survey covered a response period before the federal action took effect.

By: South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer Pete Strom

Police: Burglary Suspect Gets Stuck in Chimney, No Santa

by Pete Strom on November 30, 2011

South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyers

According to AJC, police say a suspect trying to emulate Santa Claus was captured after getting stuck in a chimney last Tuesday.

RanaldoMontez Jack, 17, was arrested about 1:30 p.m. after being pulled from the chimney of a home in Gwinnett, Georgia, police said.

Edyn Rodriguez, told Channel 2 Action News that he was standing in his driveway when he heard cries coming from across the street.

“He said, ‘Help me! Help me!” Rodriguez said. “Man, never in my life! … I called 911.”

WSB-TV, the ABC affiliate in Atlanta  was there when the home’s owner came home from working overnight. She had no idea someone was stuck in her chimney until the TV crew told her.

“Oh my God. That scares me to death,” Tsehainesh Kidane said. “Why did he figure out (to go) through the chimney?”

The suspect told authorities with the Gwinnett County Fire Department that he had been stuck in the chimney since about 3 a.m. Firefighters pulled him from the chimney, and police then placed him under arrest on the ground.

Jack was charged with burglary and giving false information to a police officer, said Gwinnett police Cpl. Jake Smith.   WSB-TV reported that the teen allegedly gave authorities a false name, but an officer who had dealt with him before recognized him.

By: South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer Pete Strom

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