A CON AND A MAYBE CON; TWO CASES, NOT ACCIDENTS
From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Brooklyn Injury Lawyer)
Two reported by the ever colorful New York Post.
FIRST, the "Maybe con."
A Brooklyn resident brought a lawsuit against the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, claiming fraud in its claim that chocolate flavored Yoo-Hoo soft drink is "good for you." In the finest Brooklyn tradition, this plaintiff claims to know that Yoo-Hoo is actually bad for you and unhealthy. Yoo-Hoo's people maintain that their drink is fun and safe, and that the case against it lacks merit.
Comment:This seems to me like a lame attempt to squeeze a few bucks out of a big corporate defendant. Doesn't Brooklyn guy know that companies fight these cases, like, to the death? I hope he doesn't have a lawyer bringing this claim; gives all us lawyers a bad name.
SECOND, the "Really con."
Here's the scam. You're working in a law firm, the telephone rings and you answer it. On the line is "Jimmy." He found a package on a train, addressed to the very law firm for which you work. What do you do? For sure, you want that package.
Jimmy, good soul that he is, offers to drop the package by your office.
Jimmy shows up! He has a U.S. Postal Service Express Mail envelope with copoies of insurance papers with a return address that you don't know is fake. As fake as the papers.
You are so relieved to get these documents that you don't even blink when Jimmy gives you a taxi receipt and asks only that your firm reimburse his car service fare to your office. And you're glad to give him a little money from petty cash; and Jimmy's gone by the time your firm realizes everything is fake and you've been scammed.
Jimmy, also known as James Hill, age 50, pulled this scam at some 30 Manhattan law firms. He raked in more than $1,000 for cab fare between April and June, 2010, according to police.
One of the victimized law firms reported it to the Manhattan District Attorney, which arrested this "Bad Samaritan" on Monday, June 28, 2010.
He was charged with scheme to defraud and petit larceny.
Comment: I confess: this guy was no Robin Hood, but I have to cheer (just a little) for a man who scammed a bunch of smarty-pants New York attorneys. There. I said it.
