Paralegal Indicted for Forging Signatures of 76 Judges

Andrew Keshner, New York Law Journal

September 17, 2015  

Excerpt: 

"A former paralegal at a personal injury firm forged the signatures of 76 state Supreme Court justices to create more than 100 bogus judicial orders in structured settlement matters, prosecutors allege.

The Manhattan District Attorney's office said Thomas Rubino, while a paralegal at Paris & Chaikin, forged 117 orders that purported to be judicial orders authorizing the transfer of structured settlement rights.

See Indictment, Statement of Facts, and Voluntary Disclosure Form.

Rubino, 42, pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Wednesday on 117 counts of second-degree forgery and 117 counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.

Both are D felonies, which carry statutory maximums of 2 1/3 to 7 years.

He was arraigned by Acting Supreme Court Justice Thomas Farber, who set bail at $25,000. Farber said the matter was a "very bizarre case," adding, "where are the lawyers on this?"

According to the prosecution, Paris & Chaikin, a personal injury firm, also represents structured settlement companies in the acquisition of structured settlement rights."

Read more: http://www.newyorklawjournal.com/id=1202737413993/Paralegal-Indicted-for-Forging-Signatures-of-76-Judges#ixzz3m0lyJdCT