User-agent: * Allow: / Legal news, political opinion, Satire, and lawyer thinking by Tim Paynter, Attorney at Law: 2010-02-14

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Saturday, February 20, 2010

Marine dean anthony toth soild semper fi guilty of fruad of SSA benefits


Marine F-18 Pilot Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Defraud

Marine Corp vow of Semper Fi disgraced

Dean Anthony Toth, age 38, of Oldham County, Kentucky a past Marine F-18 pilot didn't hear the code of conduct expected of all Marines:

"Honor requires each Marine to exemplify the ultimate standard in ethical and moral conduct. Honor is many things; honor requires many things. A U.S. Marine must never lie, never cheat, never steal, but that is not enough. Much more is required. Each Marine must cling to an uncompromising code of personal integrity, accountable for his actions and holding others accountable for theirs. And, above all, honor mandates that a Marine never sully the reputation of his Corps."
Dean Anthony Toth      

The Marine Corp motto is "Semper Fi", short for Semper Fidelis. The motto says a Marine shall always be faithful to his pledges and to his comrades.

"A US Marine Must never lie, must never cheat, must never steal"

The code of honor is difficult to apply if you can't hear it. Toth, a pilot for South West Airlines, can't hear very good. At least that is what he said when he applied for disability with the Department of Veteran’s affairs. 

"He said he had hearing loss in both ears"
                            
Supposedly, serving as an F-18 instructor is hazardous to your health. In 2003 Toth was named the Marine Instructor of the Year, as he was serving on active duty from 1995 to 2004.  After leaving the service he said he had hearing loss in both ears and claimed back disability pay of nearly $100,000 plus an extra pay check of $2,500 per month for life.

"A hearing exam indicated that his hearing was
 'within normal limits'"

The dishonest Marine had some inside help that assured he would get the disability award. His friend, Daniel Ryan Parker, knew Jeffrey McGill.  Both men worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to bloger Wave 3.  Parker and McGill had a deal going with several soldiers to manipulate the system.  

On August 10, 2007, Toth took a hearing exam and the results indicated that his hearing was "within normal limits." Parker and McGill, however, altered Toth's exam results to reflect that Toth had profound hearing loss, and McGill personally reviewed Toth's claim.

"The guy who is deaf in both ears hears well enough to fly commercial airliners"

Of course, Toth's claim was approved for 100 percent disability. On October 31, 2007, the VA paid Toth $93,240 in retroactive disability payments, and Toth also began receiving over $2,500 per month in disability payments. These monthly payments were tax free and would have continued for life.

The guy who is deaf in both ears hears well enough to fly commercial airliners. When in the military, Toth passed yearly auditory exams As a pilot for Southwest Airlines, the crooked Marine passed mandatory auditory exams in 2006, 07 and 08 required by the Department of Transportation. The FAA likes to know their pilots can hear instructions, like "Southwest Heavy, Turn right heading 040, maintain 14,000 feet to avoid confused pilot". 

"The feds were interested in identifying those pilots who had used different doctors, one to certify fitness to fly and another to certify disability for SSA benefits."

According to AVstop.com Av Stop.com, "One the areas the feds began looking into, beginning in 1992, was a review of pilots who had made disability claims with the Social Security Administration. The feds were interested in identifying those pilots who had used different doctors, one to certify fitness to fly and another to certify disability for SSA benefits. This was a coordinated effort between The Department of Transportation, the Social Security Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration."

It didn't take much investigation to realize there was a bad apple in the Marine Corp barrel. One cannot have hearing loss in both ears and at the same time pass hearing loss tests both in the Military and during annual physicals for the Department of Transportation. The guy who was a top instructor for budding F-18 pilots should have read the book about how records are admitted to court to prove one guilty of fraud.

"Toth did the wise thing, cop a plea"
F-18 breaks sound barrier

Instructor Toth went to trial anyway, according to Military News. He had a lot to lose. After two days of listening to the Government's case, he decided he was in enemy territory and the enemy was going to win! By now, Parker and McGill had already pled guilty and were likely witnesses at trial. Toth did the wise thing, cop a plea. It is better to take an unattractive plea deal than be found guilty of all the charges. The court does not like to waste time.

Toth admitted he knew Parker would falsify his medical records to support his claim. In return Toth agreed to pay Parker two-thirds of any retroactive payment. When he got his check he deposited the $93,240 into his bank account.

"According to the Marine Corp honor code he made good on his promise to pay the bribe"
Missing man formation     

According to the Marine Corp honor code he made good on his promise to pay the bribe to Parker. In November of 2007, he pulled $30,000 from his bank in three $10,000 lump sums which he gave to Parker.  Toth wanted to keep the withdrawal at $10,000 to avoid government reporting requirements. Later, assuming all of the fan fare was foolishness, Toth sent Parker a final cashier's check for $32,160. The four payments represented exactly two-thirds of the back pay owed the ex-marine pilot.   

"The maximum penalties for Toth are 10 years"

The maximum potential penalties for Toth are 10 years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, and supervised release for up to three years. United States Attorney David Weiser who prosecuted the case has another "kill" under his belt with the guilty plea. Investigators from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has done a good job in assembling the evidence.
Parker and McGill and several others pled guilty and are awaiting their turn in front of the judge.

US District Court Judge Jude Jennifer B. Coffman will sentence Dean Toth on May 17th, 2010. The top flight instructor will find out how long his wings and his freedom will be clipped for defrauding the US Government and Veteran's Affairs for fake disability claims based on loss of hearing. You can bet Toth will be all ears!

Semper Fi.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

High country bandits rob banks ride off on ATV, Hi yo honda! FBI wanted


High country bandits wanted
BANK ROBBERY

The FBI is seeking information on "an armed crew" who have been robbing banks in  Northern Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.  An unknown male identified as suspect number one often enters the banks in rural locations near closing time and brandishes a black semi-automatic handgun. He then demands all the money from the teller drawers.

After loading the dough into a bag he orders everyone onto the floor, and runs from the bank.  These guys don't ride away from the scene on horses, though.  Suspect number one jumps onto his trusty green or maroon ATV while his driver blazes a trail into the horizon.

"Hi Yo Honda"

Suspect number one is described as a white or Hispanic male, 30’s - 40’s, approximately 5’3” - 5’6”, 130 - 160 lbs. (slight build), wearing dark clothing, brown or grey hair with a possible mustache or beard, and thin legs. His voice is described as being deep, rough or raspy.

Suspect number two is described as a white or Hispanic male, 30’s, approximately 6’0” tall, 150 -175lbs., with straight black hair (see sketch below).

The following banks have been hit:
09/08/09, Bank of the West, 1945 Highway 260, Heber, AZ

09/22/09, First National Bank of Durango, 351 Bayfield Center Drive, Bayfield, CO

10/14/09, Arizona Central Credit Union, 1948 S. Woodland Village Blvd, Flagstaff, AZ

10/30/09, Country Bank, 3044 North Glassford Hill Road, Prescott Valley, AZ

11/10/09, First Community Bank, 19390 Highway 314, Belen, NM.

11/25/09, Compass Bank, 613 S. Beeline Highway, Payson, AZ

12/03/09, Chase Bank, 5305 S. Superstition Mtn Dr., Gold Canyon, AZ

12/04/09, Compass Bank, 781 E. White Mountain Blvd., Pinetop, AZ

12/15/09, Wells Fargo Bank, 12140 N. Dove Mountain Blvd, Marana, AZ

12/22/09, Bank of the San Juans, 1710 Main St., Durango, CO

01/25/10, Sunwest Bank, 822 N. Humphreys, Flagstaff, AZ

02/05/10, Community Banks of Colorado, 1438 E. Main St., Cortez, CO

Bank robbery is punishable by a 20-year prison sentence for each offense and increases if a dangerous weapon is used in the commission of the crime.

Contact: Media Coordinator Dave Joly (303) 575-7310

If anyone has any information on the bank robberies above, or any bank robbery, please call the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force at 303-629-7171 or you can remain anonymous and earn up to two thousand dollars ($2,000) by calling CRIMESTOPPERS at 720-913-STOP (7867).

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Internet scam takes attorney by surprise No money no client no trust fund


Over seas client takes lawyer for a ride
Lawyer cashes bogus check, client splits with the money!
_________________
The Law Offices of
Takenn, Takenn, and Howe P.C.
____________
Truth or Consequences New Mexico

February 17, 2010

El cliento
69 Lost In
Lost Province, China

Re:  Payout from your "EX"The bounced check on our trust account

Dear Client,

We received the money from your "EX" and have forwarded the amount collected, minus our modest $80,000 fees, on to you.  We don't mind if we do admit how hard we worked on the case and how fast we are getting your money to you!

You can cash the check in confidence since it was brought in as a certified check.
============================
The Law Offices of

Takenn, Takenn, and Howe P.C.
____________
Truth or Consequences New Mexico

February 17, 2010

El cliento
#69 Lost In
Lost Province, China

Re: The bounced check on our trust account

Dear Client,

This is a friendly reminder the certified funds we received on behalf of your “ex” were not as certified as we thought they were.    Please send back the money we sent you…
=============================
The client is thrilled she will be getting a lump sum of money and all her attorney had to do was write one of those attorney letters!  Fast work. Fast money!  Time to do her hair!

Of course, his certified check is bogus.  That turns out to be the case even after you verify the check with his bank.  The extra you forwarded to his account is your loss.  Unfortunately, the bank makes you pay even though his check bounces!

You would think if most of us spot these kinds of scams an attorney would spot them more quickly.  Let's just say some attorneys are not as smart as you and I.  Or perhaps they figure no one is going to mess with them.  Not!

============================
The Law Offices of
Takenn, Takenn, and Howe P.C.
 ____________
Truth or Consequences New Mexico
March 17, 2010

El cliento
# 69 Lost in
Lost Province, China

Re: The bounced check on our trust account

Dear Client,

We have figured out you have comitted a fraud on this law firm.  Demand is hereby made upon you for the full return of the certified funds we sent representing our other client's money.  If you fail to return the money forthwith, we will call the FBI...
=============================
In one of the most recent versions of the scam an attorney is contacted and asked to collect money for an ex-wife on "assignment" in a foreign country.  A demand letter is sent to the the "ex".  The spouse is shaking in his shoes after receiving a threatening letter from the unsuspecting attorney.  As the attorney grins from side to side about recovering the spouses money so quickly, he does not know he is about to be taken for a free ride.  As soon as the attorney gets a bank check from the ex-spouse, he quickly deducts his fees and sends the money on.

Of course, the check from the "ex" is bogus.  The funds sent from the attorney's trust account are good.  When the check bounces the attorney is in hot water!  The money in his trust account is not his own, and when the check bounces from the ex-spouse it means some client just got shorted money from the attorney trust account.  If the attorney does not cover the bounced check he is in violation of his ethics.  If he covers it up, either by over-billing his client or by failing to make good on the "ex spouse's" check, he could lose his license.
============================
The Law Offices of
Takenn, Takenn, and Howe P.C.
________
Truth or Consequences New Mexico

Aril 15rh, 2010

El cliento
#69 Lost In
Lost Province, China

Re: The bounced check on our trust account

Dear Client,

Please, please, please return our client funds...we won't tell anyone...
=============================
The FBI advises attorneys  "to conduct as much due diligence as possible before engaging in transactions with parties who are handling their business solely via e-mail, particularly those parties claiming to reside overseas".

Check fraud schemes and internet scammers will always be around.  Let's hope each of us is fortunate enough to avoid getting taken by the latest version.  You can bet some attorney's will be a lot more careful in how long they wait for checks to clear before advancing client fees...and claiming their own.