Ambulance-Chasing Lawyer Sentenced to Four Years for ADA Fraud
A Sobering Reminder of Legal Ethics and Integrity Justice Served in a Landmark Ruling
Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud.
In a ruling that underscores the importance of legal integrity, Stuart Finkelstein, a 68-year-old Florida lawyer, has been sentenced to four years in prison, according to NYPost. His crime? Filing nearly 300 fraudulent lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in New York and Florida. This report delves into the details of this case and its implications.
Finkelstein's fraudulent activities were first exposed by The Post in 2019. He was found guilty of filing close to 300 sham lawsuits under the ADA, using the identities of two unsuspecting individuals. His actions cost businesses over $1.5 million in settlements, and he personally profited by $650,000.
On August 4, 2023, Manhattan federal Judge Paul Gardephe sentenced Finkelstein to four years behind bars, three years of post-release supervision, and over $800,000 in fines and forfeitures. The restitution amount will be determined later.
This was not Finkelstein's first brush with unethical behavior. In 2019, it was revealed that he had filed over 25 lawsuits without the knowledge or consent of his clients. His criminal activities spanned from 2013 to 2016.
Finkelstein was previously disbarred in New York in 2007 but was reinstated in 2016. His charges included mail fraud, identity theft, and obstruction of justice.
The ADA is a vital civil rights law designed to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination. Finkelstein's actions were a blatant abuse of this law, turning it into a tool for personal enrichment.
Legal experts hope that this sentencing will send a strong message to others who might attempt to exploit the ADA for financial gain.
The case of Stuart Finkelstein is a sobering reminder of the need for ethics and integrity in the legal profession. His actions not only betrayed the trust of his clients but also undermined a law designed to protect some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
This sentencing is more than a punishment for Finkelstein; it's a statement about the values that underpin our legal system. It's a reaffirmation of the principle that the law is meant to serve justice, not personal greed.
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