Hedge fraud prosecutor: $380m lost
NEW YORK — A U.S. prosecutor now estimates losses of $380 million in an alleged hedge fund fraud linked to a prominent New York attorney.
Magistrate Judge Douglas Eaton denied bail and ordered detention Thursday for Marc Dreier.
Prosecutor Jonathan Streeter called Dreier a "Houdini of impersonation." He was arrested Sunday in what federal authorities called a "stunning, brazen fraud."
Dreier's lawyer, Gerald Shargel, calls the case "very complicated." He sought $10 million bail.
Dreier LLP partner Joel Chernov says in court papers that many lawyers have left the firm, rent is overdue and BlackBerry service is being terminated. He says $27 million appears to be missing from escrow accounts.
Dreier also is charged in Toronto with impersonation in connection with the attempted sale of $45 million of notes to a hedge fund.





LARRY NEUMEISTER | December 11, 2008 12:08 PM EST |