BREAKING NEWS: Barasch & McGarry Blows the Whistle on Corrupt VCF Lawyer Who Stole $1 Million
BREAKING NEWS: Barasch & McGarry Blows the Whistle on Corrupt VCF Lawyer Who Stole $1 Million from Disabled NYPD Officer – And, Recovers $400,000 for the Victim!
Disgraced Westchester attorney Gustavo L. Vila appeared in White Plains Federal Court yesterday to plead guilty to stealing a $1 million Victim Compensation Fund award from his former client, disabled NYPD officer and 9/11 first responder John Ferreyra. Vila is also a retired police officer, a position he used to gain Officer Ferreyra’s trust and ultimately to betray it. Ferreyra was diagnosed with a 9/11-related cancer in 2004, had a life-saving stem cell transplant in 2012, and is thankfully in remission today.
“We are honored to have been called by Officer Ferreyra, so we could justly expose this scam,” said the firm’s managing attorney Mike Barasch. “9/11 advocate John Feal, and several of Mr. Ferrayra’s fellow police officers suggested that he call me to inquire why his VCF payout had been delayed more than three years. Firm partner Bruce Kaye, a former Ass’t District Attorney, and I knew immediately that his attorney had stolen the funds. We reported the theft to the Victim Compensation Fund, which in turn triggered an investigation by the Dept. Of Justice. We also reported Mr. Vila to the U.S. Southern District Attorney’s office. The FBI then commenced its own investigation. Last month, Vila was arrested. Yesterday, he plead guilty. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in Federal prison.”
We are pleased to report that once Vila was arrested, we submitted a claim to the New York State Lawyers Fund for Client Protection on Mr. Ferreyra’s behalf. The Fund, whose mission is to protect legal consumers from dishonest lawyers, just awarded Mr. Ferreyra $400,000 as partial restitution. This is the maximum amount allowed under their charter.
We are honored to represent Mr. Ferreyra at no fee, and we will not rest until we recover the balance of Mr. Ferreyra’s VCF award.
14 replies on “BREAKING NEWS: Barasch & McGarry Blows the Whistle on Corrupt VCF Lawyer Who Stole $1 Million”
Thank you for representing me
That was awesome of you and your firm !!!! I truly respect your code of ethics and code of honor !!!! We need more honorable lawyers like you guys. Specially nowadays.
Barasch McGarry has constantly shown honor and the highest respect for all its clients. The charity they have given says everything about the content of their character.
Thank you for representing me.
Michael, As extremely disappointed I am by the Vila theft and the satisfaction I feel for Mr Ferreyra and his family I am so impressed and grateful by the relentless, aggressive and sincere dedication that you and the firm continue demonstrate. Thank you
Love you
Always amazing every day new great job guy
Thank God for you Michael and Mister McGarry, I always knew you would always be watching out for us
Thanks again mike and company
Great work Mike, it’s comforting to know how diligent you and your law firm are.
Nice work. It must be tough to turn in one of your own, but it shows your integrity and loyalty to first responders. Thank you
Refreshing to see honest human beings
Dear MIKE
THANK YOU AND YOUR WHOLE FIRM FOR WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING FOR US FIRST RESPONDERS.
YOU AND YOUR FIRM HAS HELPED ME GREATLY
THANKS AGAIN JOHN BECK
It is outrageous to read news like this, in which a corrupt lawyer takes advantage of the vulnerability of a person who has suffered so much. I commend Barasch & McGarry for taking prompt and effective action to recover some of the stolen money and for representing Officer Ferreyra at no cost. It is important that steps are taken to protect victims of dishonest lawyers and prevent cases like this from happening again in the future.