New York Paralegal Blog

PENSACOLA, FL—B Christopher P. Gunn, 31, previously of Walton County, Florida, was indicted today on multiple charges involving the online sextortion and cyberstalking of young girls ranging in age from 13 to 17 years old. The indictment was announced by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court in Duluth, a 42-year-old Duluth man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for taking a 13-year-old girl across state lines with the intent to sexually abuse her. United States District Court Judge Donovan W. Frank sentenced Todd Richard Franik, who was indicted on October 5, 2010, and pleaded guilty on November 5, 2010, to one count of interstate transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. In imposing the 30-year prison term, Judge Frank said a sentence of anything less would be insufficient to promote respect for the law and protect the public.

MINEOLA, NY – Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that a Bethpage pediatrician has been indicted by a grand jury on charges that he sexually abused and assaulted girls as young as 11 years old under the guise of medical examinations, and then secretly videotaped and photographed them.Rakesh Punn The 60-count indictment, filed with the court on Monday, charges Dr. Rakesh Punn, 53, of Bethpage, with four counts of Criminal Sale of a Prescription for a Controlled Substance, 28 counts of Assault in the Second Degree, 10 counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, three counts of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, one count of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, six counts of Unlawful Surveillance in the Second Degree, seven counts of Fraudulently Obtaining a Signature, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Third Degree. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison on each of the 28 assault charges. He is schedu...

Young Adult Institute Inflated Expenses to Justify Reimbursement of Excess Medicaid Dollars NEW YORK, NY - Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a settlement with Young Adult Institute, Inc. (YAI), organization officials Philip H. Levy and Karen Wegmann, and former CEO Joel M. Levy, resolving allegations that they defrauded the Medicaid program. YAI, the state’s largest residential service provider, will pay $18 million in damages, and significantly reform their cost reporting practices. “Restoring New Yorkers' faith in their government and cracking down on those who try to defraud the taxpayers will be two of our top priorities in this office," Attorney General Schneiderman said. "Today’s announcement should send a clear message that we will leave no stone unturned in the fight against Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse in New York State.”