US Sentences Eastern European Crime Syndicate Boss To Over 16 Years - Justice Dept.
Faizan Hashmi Published December 04, 2019 | 03:40 AM
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 04th December, 2019) A leading member of an Eastern European crime syndicate based in New York city was sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for racketeering that included illegal gambling, loan sharking, extortion and arson, the Justice Department announced in a press release.
"[Leonid] Gershman is a violent racketeer deservedly punished today for the harm he has inflicted through beatings, extortions, loansharking and, most seriously, an arson that displaced families from their homes and endangered the lives of children and New York City firefighters," United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Richard Donoghue said in the release on Tuesday.
Gershman and co-defendant Aleksey Tsvetkov were convicted following a three-week jury trial in August 2018 and Gershman was sentenced to 198 months in prison by US District Judge Brian Cogan, the release said.
Tsvekov is awaiting sentencing.
Between 2011 and May 2017, Gershman and his co-conspirators, born in states of the former Soviet Union, including Russia, Ukraine and Moldova, operated as a racketeering syndicate, according to the release.
Gershman's syndicate was blamed for setting fire to a mixed-use building that housed a rival high-stakes poker game in 2016, in which firefighters and two residents, including a young boy, were injured while being rescued, the release said.
The syndicate members were linked to high-level members of Russian organized crime, who authorized syndicate members to use violence to protect their criminal activities, the release added.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PTI to stage nationwide protests against alleged electoral frauds
Senate continues discussion on Presidential address to Joint Sitting of Parliame ..
Masood Khan calls for Pak-US cooperation for regional peace
Interior Minister starts Margalla Trail Patrol for security
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
More Stories From World
-
Kenyan rugby player turned TikTok star cooks to fight depression
9 minutes ago -
Guangdong carbon market closes higher
9 minutes ago -
Sugar futures close higher
10 minutes ago -
Nuggets push Lakers to brink as Embiid's 50 points lead Sixers over Knicks
19 minutes ago -
China high-tech capacity exposes overcapacity mantra in green energy
29 minutes ago -
Golf: PGA Zurich Classic of New Orleans scores
39 minutes ago
-
Cybersecurity firm Darktrace accepts $5 bn takeover
60 minutes ago -
Clean energy drives massive BHP takeover bid
1 hour ago -
Copper price tops $10,000 for first time in two years
2 hours ago -
Ukraine agriculture minister held for alleged corruption
2 hours ago -
China calls Germany spy claims 'pure fabrication'
2 hours ago -
Singapore expects 1-3 pct growth this year
2 hours ago