Assets from adoption scammer to go to victims
29 October 2009
Assets from adoption scammer to go to victims
By ERIC LINDBERG — Oct. 29, 2009
Cash and assets seized during the arrest of convicted adoption scammer Orson Mozes will go to victims of the scam despite protests from Mozes’ ex-wife, who insisted the funds should go to her for child support and alimony.
In a strongly worded decision released yesterday, Superior Court Judge George Eskin ruled that roughly $301,970 in seized assets should be awarded to the 59 people who fell victim to Mozes’ scam.
Mozes pleaded no contest to 17 counts of fraud and a white-collar crime enhancement earlier this year and was sentenced to three years and four months in state prison. Prosecutors said he had bilked dozens of hopeful adoptive parents out of more than $770,000.
Eskin dismissed arguments that Christen Brown, Mozes’ ex-wife, was unaware of the ongoing scam while the two were still married and living in the same house, saying that claim “borders on ludicrous.”
“She undoubtedly had knowledge of the crimes despite her protestations to the contrary and was probably complicit in the criminal activities,” he wrote.
Attempts to contact Brown and her attorney for comment yesterday were not successful.
Brown had maintained throughout a series of hearings that she was innocent and had little knowledge about her ex-husband’s adoption operation, despite testimony from former employees that she had dealt with upset clients and wrote checks for the business.
In his written ruling, Eskin said he found it hard to believe Brown holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology, has published a book, and coaches clients for speech and media presentations, yet was largely clueless about the adoption scam, which spanned at least three years.
“He really called it like it was,” said Deputy District Attorney Paula Waldman, who prosecuted the case. “His opinion is not overly harsh; it is right on the money.”
She said it was gratifying to read the judge’s opinion, particularly the sections that referred to Brown’s lack of credibility.
“She pulled out every slimy stop she could,” Waldman said. “Never once did she say, OK, you’ve got me. She just kept lying, lying and lying. It was so despicable.”
When authorities arrested Mozes in Florida in December 2008, they seized $139,000 in cash, $133,000 in gold coins and $42,000 in two brokerage accounts. Eskin ordered Deputy District Attorney Paula Waldman to sell off the gold coins and distribute the cash to the victims as appropriate.
The prosecutor said she is thrilled for the victims, adding that they remained patient throughout the lengthy legal proceedings and are grateful that everything appears to be resolved.
“I’m told gold is at its all-time high right now,” Waldman said. “Personally, I think the gods are smiling on us. If we sold that gold earlier, we wouldn’t have got as much money for the victims. In a weird, twisted way, it’s been worth the wait.”
Asked whether Brown could appeal the court decision, Waldman said she isn’t sure but remains hopeful that she won’t pursue further litigation.
“I’m really looking forward to cutting those checks and getting them out in the mail to the victims,” she said.
By ERIC LINDBERG — Oct. 29, 2009
Cash and assets seized during the arrest of convicted adoption scammer Orson Mozes will go to victims of the scam despite protests from Mozes’ ex-wife, who insisted the funds should go to her for child support and alimony.
In a strongly worded decision released yesterday, Superior Court Judge George Eskin ruled that roughly $301,970 in seized assets should be awarded to the 59 people who fell victim to Mozes’ scam.
Mozes pleaded no contest to 17 counts of fraud and a white-collar crime enhancement earlier this year and was sentenced to three years and four months in state prison. Prosecutors said he had bilked dozens of hopeful adoptive parents out of more than $770,000.
Eskin dismissed arguments that Christen Brown, Mozes’ ex-wife, was unaware of the ongoing scam while the two were still married and living in the same house, saying that claim “borders on ludicrous.”
“She undoubtedly had knowledge of the crimes despite her protestations to the contrary and was probably complicit in the criminal activities,” he wrote.
Attempts to contact Brown and her attorney for comment yesterday were not successful.
Brown had maintained throughout a series of hearings that she was innocent and had little knowledge about her ex-husband’s adoption operation, despite testimony from former employees that she had dealt with upset clients and wrote checks for the business.
In his written ruling, Eskin said he found it hard to believe Brown holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology, has published a book, and coaches clients for speech and media presentations, yet was largely clueless about the adoption scam, which spanned at least three years.
“He really called it like it was,” said Deputy District Attorney Paula Waldman, who prosecuted the case. “His opinion is not overly harsh; it is right on the money.”
She said it was gratifying to read the judge’s opinion, particularly the sections that referred to Brown’s lack of credibility.
“She pulled out every slimy stop she could,” Waldman said. “Never once did she say, OK, you’ve got me. She just kept lying, lying and lying. It was so despicable.”
When authorities arrested Mozes in Florida in December 2008, they seized $139,000 in cash, $133,000 in gold coins and $42,000 in two brokerage accounts. Eskin ordered Deputy District Attorney Paula Waldman to sell off the gold coins and distribute the cash to the victims as appropriate.
The prosecutor said she is thrilled for the victims, adding that they remained patient throughout the lengthy legal proceedings and are grateful that everything appears to be resolved.
“I’m told gold is at its all-time high right now,” Waldman said. “Personally, I think the gods are smiling on us. If we sold that gold earlier, we wouldn’t have got as much money for the victims. In a weird, twisted way, it’s been worth the wait.”
Asked whether Brown could appeal the court decision, Waldman said she isn’t sure but remains hopeful that she won’t pursue further litigation.
“I’m really looking forward to cutting those checks and getting them out in the mail to the victims,” she said.