Lottery Lawyer Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for $107 Million Scam on Jackpot Winners

Edited by: TJVNews.com

Jason Kurland, famously known as the “lottery lawyer,” has been handed a 13-year prison sentence for his involvement in a massive fraud scheme, as was reported by the New York Post.  Kurland, 49, was found guilty of deceiving his lottery-winning clients and diverting their prize money into risky ventures and dubious investments. .

As a partner at a prestigious Long Island law firm, Kurland earned a substantial income, approximately $500,000 per year. However, his greed got the better of him. The Post reported that starting in 2018, Kurland began targeting his newly wealthy lottery-winning clients, including those who had won a staggering $1.5 billion Mega Millions, $245 million Powerball, and $150 million jackpots.

These unsuspecting clients sought Kurland’s guidance on how to prudently invest their newfound fortunes. Little did they know that Kurland had ulterior motives. The Post reported that instead of providing sound advice, he funneled their money into high-risk businesses that he secretly co-owned with Francis Smookler and Frangesco Russo. Moreover, he collaborated with reputed Genovese crime family member Christopher Chierchio, who pushed shady investments on behalf of the trio, the report indicated.

Brooklyn federal Judge Nicholas Garaufis, presiding over the case, expressed his disappointment in Kurland’s actions, stating that the lottery winners had been turned into “losers” after encountering him, the Post report indicated. The judge noted that Kurland’s primary goal was to exploit the success of his clients for personal gain. This abuse of trust was particularly shocking coming from a lawyer.

“They were lucky winners, but when they met Mr. Kurland, they ended up to be losers,” Judge Garaufis said before handing down the hefty sentence.

The Post reported that Garaufis said Kurland’s goal was to “cash in on the success of his clients.”

Kurland’s access to his clients’ funds allowed him to siphon off money for himself and his accomplices, as was reported by the Post. Like a burglar, he took advantage of his position of trust and used the money for luxury vacations, private jets, yachts, and even a Porsche. In total, Kurland, Smookler, and Russo defrauded their clients out of approximately $107 million.

The Post also reported that during the court proceedings, a remorseful Kurland read a statement expressing his shame, embarrassment, and regret for his “stupid” and “misguided” actions. He tearfully acknowledged the harm he caused to his clients and family. Pleading for leniency, Kurland emphasized that he was a father of young children, the report said.

However, Judge Garaufis, unswayed by Kurland’s emotional plea, handed down a hefty 13-year prison sentence. The Post reported that the judge underscored the gravity of Kurland’s betrayal, describing it as unfathomable for any profession, but particularly egregious for a lawyer.

Kurland’s family wept as the judge pronounced the sentence, while his lawyer, Telemachus Kasulis, vowed to appeal the decision. Meanwhile, Kurland’s co-conspirators, Smookler and Russo, await their own sentencing, having already pleaded guilty, as was reported by the Post.

The scheme also involved Christopher Chierchio, who received a five-year prison sentence for his role in the scam. The quartet, in their pursuit of recouping their initial losses through investments in personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic, further skimmed millions of dollars, diverting the funds away from legitimate deals, the Post report said. Instead of helping their clients, they indulged in extravagant lifestyles and spent lavishly on vacations, private jets, yachts, and a Porsche.

The case of Jason Kurland, the lottery lawyer who masterminded a $107 million fraud scheme, serves as a stark reminder of the depths to which some individuals are willing to sink for personal gain. The trust placed in him by his clients was systematically abused, and their lives forever changed. The 13-year prison sentence reflects the severity of Kurland’s crimes, bringing a sense of justice to the defrauded lottery winners and serving as a deterrent to others who might consider similar actions in the future.