Surrogate Judge Lee Holzman let political cronies reap lucrative fees from dozens of improperly invested inheritances - leaving taxpayers on the hook for $20 million.
The mishandling of the money - overseen by the judge and managed by two aides - let politically wired lawyers and accountants rake in $2.1 million in fees, while heirs of the 37 victimized estates couldn't get their money.
A Daily News investigation found the risky investments were first made in 2005 by ex-Bronx public administrator Esther Rodriguez, who resigned under a cloud in 2006, and continued by her successor, John Raniolo.
Topping the insiders list is lawyer Michael Lippman, counsel to public administrator Raniolo, who has collected $1.9 million in fees from the 37 estates. Records show that Raniolo's office also has requested tens of thousands of dollars in fees from some estates.
Judge Holzman is ultimately responsible for the actions of Lippman, Rodriguez and Raniolo. He appointed them and signed off on fees.
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Bronx judge oversaw city's bad investments of inheritance cash
Thank you for keeping the growing list of crooks who got caught on the front page.
ReplyDeleteThis is Outrageous!
Criminal!
Corruption!
Conspiracy for profit!
This is unacceptable!
Send Judge Lee Holzman the bill for $20 million! AND drag him off to prison by his ankles for the rest of his life with the rest of his known thugs: Lippman, Rodriguez and Raniolo.
There are more of us, the outsiders, the "little" people who are used and abused to illegally fund the, insiders, the special people in the probate club.
Is the IRS auditing the crooks' tax returns?
Is the FBI looking into past case files?
What are the FEDS waiting for?
only $20 million so far! Trust me there's a whole lot more! All the Surrogate's do the same thing! The Bronx Surrogate's Court has always been a cesspool as all the rest in New York State. Bert Gelfand a former Bronx Surrogate was remove by the NYS Court of Appeals and one in Brooklyn was also remove. Remove them ALL! All they do is steal! I have no faith in the courts because I have been in the belly of the beast!
ReplyDelete