Lawyer Lerach Pleads Guilty in Kickback Case

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun

LOS ANGELES — William Lerach, a former partner at a prestigious New York law firm, pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy for his role in a scheme to bribe people to become plaintiffs in lucrative class-action lawsuits. Asked by Judge John Walter how he would plead to the charge, Lerach answered, “Guilty, your honor.”

Lerach, 61, pleaded to one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements.

After the hearing, he shook hands with the three federal prosecutors who have been leading the investigation of his former law firm, now known as Milberg Weiss.

The seven-year federal investigation has resulted in charges against several former partners and lawyers at the firm.

The firm also has been charged in the case and pleaded not guilty to one count each of conspiracy, mail fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice in a revised indictment.


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