NY woman pleads guilty in adoption scam of 11 kids

Criminal Law

A woman admits to using false names to adopt 11 disabled children in New York City and rake in more than $1 million in subsidies over two decades.

Judith Leekin agreed to forfeit the subsidy money as she pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges Tuesday. She did not make any admissions in a separate abuse case in Florida.

She is accused of beating and starving the children in her Florida home. They moved to that state in 1998.

The 63-year-old Leekin also admitted she sent officials a phony report card documenting a child's progress.  She could face up to eight years in prison on the federal mail and wire fraud charges.

Related listings

  • Man due in court in NC state investigator's death

    Man due in court in NC state investigator's death

    Criminal Law 05/20/2008

    A Charlotte insurance agency owner charged in the death of a North Carolina state insurance investigator is set to appear in court.Authorities say 40-year-old Michael Arthur Howell (HOW'-el) of Indian Trail is charged with first-degree murder in the ...

  • Man accused of handing pot to court security

    Man accused of handing pot to court security

    Criminal Law 05/14/2008

    A man was arrested after pulling marijuana from his pocket at a security check at a court. The man was visiting the courts section of the Bradley County Justice Center on Monday when he was asked to empty his pockets into a plastic bowl, a standard p...

  • Boyfriend pleads not guilty in toilet-seat case

    Boyfriend pleads not guilty in toilet-seat case

    Criminal Law 05/08/2008

    The western Kansas man whose girlfriend became stuck to a toilet during a two-year stay in their bathroom appeared in court Wednesday in separate cases.Ness County prosecutors said Kory McFarren pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge of...

New York Commercial Litigation Law Firm - Woods Lonergan PLLC

Founded in 1993 by Managing Partner James F. Woods, Woods Lonergan PLLC has built a strong reputation as a resourceful and industrious firm that provides clients with clear, concise, and straightforward answers to their most challenging legal issues. Partner Lawrence R. Lonergan, who joined the firm in 2008, has been a friend and colleague to Mr. Woods for over 40 years and shares the same business philosophy. Woods Lonergan PLLC’s collective experience and expertise enables the firm to expeditiously and effectively analyze the increasing challenges clients face in an evolving business and legal world, in many instances, avoiding unnecessary time and expense to our clients. Our mission is simple: provide cutting-edge expertise and sound advice in select areas of the law for corporate and business clients. We thrive on providing each client with personalized attention, forceful representation, and a collaborative team effort that embraces collective knowledge.

Business News

New York & New Jersey Family Law Matters We represent our clients in all types of proceedings that include termination of parental rights. >> read