Nassau Attorney Admits To Trying To Obstruct Victims' Payment

A Nassau County attorney pleaded guilty today to engaging in a scheme to stop someone from having to pay millions in restitution to victims of a fraud case.

Mark Weissman, also known as Meyer Weissman, 55, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding. When sentenced, he faces up to 20 years in prison as well as a fine to be determined by the court.

“With today’s guilty plea, Weissman has been held responsible for attempting to impede the execution of a restitution judgment that was to be paid to victims of a massive fraud,” said United States Attorney Richard Donoghue. “This office will vigorously prosecute corrupt attorneys who assist in violations of the law.”

According to Donoghue, in 2011 and 2012, two people pleaded guilty to securities fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud and money laundering conspiracy. At their sentencing in 2014, the cour ordered them to pay about $12.7 million in restitution to their victims.

In February 2017, Weissman told the first person that he would give police incriminating information about them unless they paid $6 million to the second person. In court, Weissman admitted that he believed the payment would hamper the enforcement of the restitution judgement against the second person.