While William Rapfogel isn’t an elected officials, he’s a close to the halls of power as one can be in New York State, married to the Chief of Staff of one of the most powerful politicians in the state who he calls friend. But that friendship won’t get him a get out of jail ticket today, as it has been reported we will accept a plea deal today that will have him spending years in jail and millions on restitution.
As reported in the Daily News,
“Rapfogel, who was the head of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, is expected to accept a plea deal in Mahattan Supreme Court with the state Attorney General’s Office that will put him behind bars for three to 10 years, the sources said.
He’s also expected to agree to pay more than $3 million in restitution.
Rabbi David Cohen, the former Met Council executive director, is also expected to plead guilty Wednesday for his role in the scheme, sources said.
Rapfogel was charged in August with heading a two-decade $7 million kickback scam.
He is accused of purchasing insurance policies at inflated prices using the Met Council’s money and then receiving more than $1 million in kickbacks from Century Coverage Corp., the agent that sold them.
MARK BONIFACIO/NEW YORK DAILY NEWSAssembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has long been close to Rapfogel.Investigators say he stashed as much as $400,000 in the East Side co-op and Monticello home he owns with his wife, Silver chief of staff Judy Rapfogel.
Rapfogel is also charged with steering campaign contributions from the insurance company to city and state officials who had helped fund Met Council, including Silver, his longtime friend.
Rapfogel was charged with grand larceny, money laundering, criminal tax fraud, conspiracy, falsifying business records, offering a false instrument for filing.
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