| Shell
Company Defendant on False Merchant
Accounts Pleads Guilty After New Counsel
Bid
By Matthew
Russell Lee, Patreon
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Aug 30 – Brandon Becker is
charged with submitting
falsified merchant
applications through shell
companies, to the tune of
millions of dollars. Now he's
got a new, retained
lawyer.
On February
2, U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York
Judge Loretta A. Preska held a
proceeding. Inner City Press
covered it.
Becker's
new paid lawyer filed a notice
of appearance back on January
31, but it had to be signed
off on by Judge Preska.
On February
she relieved Becker's previous
lawyer and OK-ed the new one.
On June 11, 2024,
Becker's lawyer wrote in again
in support of his application
to modify conditions of
release - arguing that the
2015 Tesla is owned solely by
his wife.
On August 30,
after the US opposed and Judge
Preska denied Becker's
application to bring in Quinn
Emanuel as counsel and adjourn
trial to February 2025, on no
public notice he came to plead
guilty. Inner City Press was
there, thread:
OK - now at
guilty plea of Brandon Becker
in connection with a
fraudulently scheme to obtain
credit card processing
services for his deceptive
Florida-based telemarketing
operation through a California
company called CardReady LLC.
Defendant:
I'm told this is my best
option.. I had a few drinks on
the airplane here last night.
This is stressful. [His
co-defendant was sentenced to
78 months]
AUSA: The
bank was Wells Fargo. Judge;
The plea agreement has a
stipulated sentencing
guideline of 108 to 135
months...
Defendant: I
didn't know at the time it was
wrong. But I'm pleading guilty
to all of it. Defense counsel:
May we have a moment? [They
step out of courtroom]
Defendant:
Sorry, I didn't understand.
I'm ready to proceed. Judge:
Did you have the requisite
intent, mens rea. Did you know
it was wrong and against the
law. AUSA: Did he lie to
banks? Defendant: I did.
Judge: I accept
your guilty plea. Sentencing
control date Dec 30.
The case is US v.
Becker, 19-cr-704 (Preska)
***
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