| Silver Lease
Fraud Duo Pushed Trial to March 2024 Then
Pled So Johnson 6 Years Baldwin 5K
By Matthew
Russell Lee, Patreon
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
Sept 26 –
Robert Jeffrey Johnson and
Kathleen Hook were charged
with wire fraud conspiracy in
connection with a precious
metals leasing program known
as the "Silver Lease Company."
They are represented by the
same law
firm.
On February 24, 2022 U.S.
District Court for the
Southern District of New York
Judge Edgardo Ramos held a
Curcio hearing. Inner City
Press covered it.
Johnson
but not Hook wa charged with
defrauding insurance companies
. The US
Attorney's Office submitted a
list of proposed questions for
each defendant.
In mid
October, the trial was pushed
back again: "Minute Entry for
proceedings held before Judge
Edgardo Ramos:Pretrial
Conference as to Robert
Jeffrey Johnson, Kathleen Hook
held on 10/12/2023. The jury
trial is adjourned to March 4,
2024 at 9:30 a.m. The final
pretrial conference is
adjourned to February 29, 2024
at 2:30 p.m"
On February 21,
both pled guilty: "Change of
Plea Hearing as to Robert
Jeffrey Johnson, Kathleen Hook
held on 2/21/2024. Defendant
Robert Jeffrey Johnson present
w/ counsel Alyssa Silvaggi,
Esq., on behalf of Howard
Srebnick, Esq. Defendant
Kathleen Hook present with
counsel Alyssa Silvaggi, Esq.
AUSAs Margaret Lynaugh and
Alex Rossmiller present.
Defendant Kathleen Hook waives
indictment and was arraigned
on the S1 Information. Ms.
Hook entered a plea of not
guilty. Ms. Hook withdrew
previously entered not guilty
plea and enters guilty plea to
one count (S1) Information.
Mr. Johnson withdrew his
previously entered not guilty
plea and enters guilty plea to
count 3 of the Indictment. PSI
Ordered. Counsel may be
present at the interview.
Sentencing" was delayed.
On August 30,
counsel to Johnson wrote in
asking for 30 months at the
sentencing scheduled for
September 12 at 2:30 pm.
On September 6
the US Attorney's Office wrote
in calling 30 months "grossly
inadequate" and asking for 121
months.
On September 12,
Johnson was sentenced to 72
months - six years. On
September 18, Kathleen Hook
was sentenced to three months
of home confinement.
On September 26,
counsel to co-defendant Ross
Baldwin wrote in citing
Section 5K1.1 of the
Sentencing Guidelines, arguing
that "Johnson sold millions as
Mr. Baldwin watched from the
sidelines." Sentencing is set
for October 11.
The case is
US v. Johnson, et al.,
21-cr-428 (Ramos)
***
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