United States of America v. Melvin Greenspan

Newark, New Jersey criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs of over $200,0000 in survivor's pension benefits over 12 years.



Melvin Greenspan, 72, of Perrineville, New Jersey, was indicted for conversion of government funds.



The Department of Veteran's Affairs provided survivor's pension benefits to Greenspan's mother because of Greenspan's father's prior military service. Those benefits, intended only for surviving spouses of military members, were made through electronic funds transfers into Greenspan's mother's bank account beginning in September 1971 and continuing after that date. After Greenspan's mother died in 2006, Greenspan did not notify the Department of Veterans Affairs about his mother's death and made withdrawals of the survivor's pension benefits from his mother's bank account between 2006 and 2018, totaling $201,166.



The charge of conversion of government funds carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 22, 2021.



Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri, with the investigation leading to today's guilty plea.



The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin of the Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.



18:641 PUBLIC MONEY, PROPERTY OR RECORDS D/O/O: 2006-2018

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07/21/2021 1 INFORMATION as to MELVIN GREENSPAN (1) count(s) 1. (lr, ) (Entered: 07/21/2021)

07/21/2021 2 WAIVER OF INDICTMENT by MELVIN GREENSPAN (lr, ) (Entered: 07/21/2021)

07/21/2021 3 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Brian R. Martinotti:Initial Appearance as to MELVIN GREENSPAN held on 7/21/2021. Plea Agreement Hearing as to MELVIN GREENSPAN held on 7/21/2021. Plea entered by MELVIN GREENSPAN, Guilty Count 1. Sentencing set for 11/22/2021 11:00 AM in Newark - Courtroom 1 before Judge Brian R. Martinotti. (Court Reporter/Recorder Tammera Witte.) (lr, ) (Entered: 07/21/2021)

07/21/2021 4 APPLICATION for permission to enter Plea of guilty as to MELVIN GREENSPAN. (lr, ) (Entered: 07/21/2021)

07/21/2021 5 PLEA AGREEMENT as to MELVIN GREENSPAN (lr, ) (Entered: 07/21/2021)

07/21/2021 6 ORDER Setting Conditions of Release as to MELVIN GREENSPAN (1) $100,000 PR BONDMELVIN GREENSPAN (1) $100,000 PR BOND (Finance notified). Signed by Judge Brian R. Martinotti on 07/21/2021. (lr, ) (Entered: 07/21/2021)

07/21/2021 7 UNSECURED APPEARANCE Bond Entered as to MELVIN GREENSPAN in amount of $ 100,000, (lr, ) (Entered: 07/21/2021)

07/21/2021 8 CONSENT JUDGMENT AND ORDER OF FORFEITURE (MONEY JUDGMENT) as to MELVIN GREENSPAN, Judgment Index Record entered in favor of USA in the amount of $201,166.13 against MELVIN GREENSPAN, (Finance notified). Signed by Judge Brian R. Martinotti on 7/21/2021. (JB, ) (Entered: 07/21/2021)