The wife, mother and a cousin of the mastermind behind the massive NY CityTime payroll-system scam pleaded guilty today to helping Mark Mazer launder $25 million in kickbacks. Mazer’s wife, Svetlana, his mother Larisa Medzon, and cousin Anna Makovetskaya also agreed to forfeit more than $27 million in cash and various properties worth more than $4 million as part of their agreements ironed out before a federal judge in Manhattan. The trio last month had said they needed a separate trial from Mark Mazer because of the “overwhelming amount of evidence” federal prosecutors have against him and the other defendants in the case, which is set for trial Sept. 30. Prime contractor Science Applications International Corp. last year paid the city $500 million to avoid prosecution for profiting from the scandal, in which the cost of a new, high-tech municipal payroll system ballooned from $63 million to more than $600 million.
“Along with the city’s recovery last year of $500 million from the vendor, this case continues to move forward yielding results for the taxpayers,” said city Department of Investigation Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn following the hearing. “Having turned the tables on this criminal network years ago when DOI found their shell companies and the millions salted away in the hidden accounts, DOI’s work on this case will continue through its conclusion, including a commitment of extensive resources.”
Svetlana Mazer, 47, pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice, admitting that in June 2010 she filed fraudulent documents with the city’s VENDEX system while disclosing companies she owned. She has agreed to serve 10 to 16 months behind bars and shell out $3,000 to $30,000 in fines as part of a signed plea deal. Medzon, 68, through her Russian interpreter pleaded guilty to structuring transactions to evade currency reporting requirements. She admitted withdrawing $200,000 from multiple banks citywide between June 2006 and June 210 – but in increments of $5,000 or less to avoid scrutiny.
She agreed to spent 24 to 30 months in jail and pay $5,000 to $50,000 in fines through her plea agreement. Makovetskaya, 42, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make false statements to a bank. She’s agreed to spent 18 to 24 months in jail and pay $4,000 to $40,000 in fines. All remained stone-faced and mum while leaving Manhattan federal court yesterday. Mark Mazer also remains out on bail. His three relatives have asked that their sentencing be held after Mazer’s case is decided.
SOURCE http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/wife_mom_and_cousin_plead_guilty_zpjQlgvkLq03uVj1RWm3pK
Amazing dollar amounts here. Must be a better way to protect
this info.