It took immigration attorney Mohammad Saleem more than two years to shut down a scam TikTok account impersonating his legal practice — one that swindled immigrant clients into paying thousands of dollars in fake legal fees through CashApp and Zelle.
Defense lawyers are cautiously observing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s new task force targeting corporate crime and antitrust issues, with some noting the group has the potential to either increase volume of their work — or step on the toes of existing enforcement efforts.
“Today, Christopher Witherspoon was convicted of running a prostitution operation that included brutally trafficking a vulnerable woman and sexually assaulting another,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Witherspoon exercised complete control, including by sexually assaulting, beating, and threatening the women. Now, he has been held accountable. I thank the Court for its careful consideration of the evidence, and the survivors who bravely took the stand.”
The man who fatally shot his ex-lover’s teen nephew in Harlem pleaded guilty on Tuesday to the slaying, prosecutors announced.
“Ramon Alvarez was brutally murdered while trying to protect his aunt from her ex-boyfriend,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Jose Rodriguez fatally shot Mr. Alvarez, then shot at his ex-girlfriend, who thankfully survived but had to witness the murder of her courageous nephew. With this plea, Rodriguez has been held accountable for his actions, which devastated this family.”
