United States v. Andreas Roman Leimer (Pileggi et al.)

PENDING CRIMINAL DIVISION CASES

United States v. Andreas Roman Leimer (Pileggi et al.)
Court Docket Number: 3:06-CR-00151 (W.D. North Carolina)

Court Assigned: The cases of all of the defendants identified below are before the Honorable Judge Frank D. Whitney, U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, Courtroom 1, United States Courthouse, 401 W. Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202.

Criminal Charges: On December 5, 2006, 13 defendants were indicted for their roles in a telemarketing sweepstakes fraud that swindled thousands of U.S. residents. The defendants are:

1) Giuseppe Pileggi
2) Michael Forchemer
3) Herman Kankrini
4) Victor Kustra
5) Ray Anthony Bigham Wanchope
6) Michael Hennessey
7) Martin Kalchstein
8) Trent Bradford Nyffeler
9) Brian Wall Coyle
10) Larry Edward Cunningham
11) Jason David Reid
12) Michael Attilio Mangarella
13) Andreas Roman Leimer

Adreas Roman Leimer is currently a fugitive. If there is any change to his status, this webpage will be updated. If you would like to view the outcomes of the other 12 defendants, please click here.

For more information about the charges, please see below:
Indictment
Other Court Documents

The information on this website will be updated as new developments arise in the case. If you have any questions, please call the Victim Assistance Line toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or email us at victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov.

Presumption of Innocence: It is important to keep in mind that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and that presumption requires both the court and our office to take certain steps to ensure that justice is served.

Crime Victims’ Rights Act and Right to Retain Counsel: The Crime Victims’ Rights Act (18 U.S.C. § 3771) applies only to victims of the counts charged in federal court, and thus individuals may not be able to exercise all of these rights if the crime of which the individual is a victim was not charged. Section 377I(c)(2) of this Act requires that we advise you that you have the right to retain counsel. Although the statute specifically sets forth your right to seek advice of an attorney with regard to your rights under the statute, there is no requirement that you retain counsel. The Government may not recommend any specific counsel, nor can the Government (or the Court) pay for counsel to represent you. Government attorneys represent the United States.

If you elect to obtain counsel to represent your interests, please have your attorney notify this office in writing at: U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section, 10th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Bond Building, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20530, Attention: Victim Witness Unit; fax: (202) 514-3708; or email: victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov. If you elect not to retain counsel to represent your interests, you do not need to do anything.

Plea Agreements: Please be aware that many criminal cases are resolved by plea agreement between the Department of Justice and the defendant. You should also know that it is not unusual for a defendant to seek to negotiate a plea agreement shortly before trial is scheduled to begin. Plea agreements can be made at any time and as late as the morning of trial, leaving little or no opportunity to provide notice to you of the date and time of the plea hearing. If the court schedules a plea hearing in this case, we will use our best efforts to notify you of available information as soon as practicable. If you want to inform the prosecutor of your views regarding potential plea agreements, or any other aspect of the case, please call the Victim Assistance Line toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or email us at victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov, and we will put you in touch with the prosecutor.