Irving H. Picard v. Saul B. Katz et al

Filing 89

DECLARATION of David J. Sheehan in Support re: 81 MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment.. Document filed by Irving H. Picard. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6, # 7 Exhibit 7, # 8 Exhibit 8)(Sheehan, David)

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Exhibit 5 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 9C3AAFRIP Plea UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ------------------------------x UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, v. 09 CR 700 (AKH) DAVID FRIEHLING, Defendant. ------------------------------x New York, N.Y. November 3, 2009 10:30 a.m. Before: HON. ALVIN K. HELLERSTEIN, District Judge APPEARANCES PREET BHARARA United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York LISA BARONI MARC LITT Assistant United States Attorneys ANDREW M. LANKLER Attorney for Defendant Friehling SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 9C3AAFRIP Plea (Case called) MS. BARONI: Good morning, your Honor. Lisa Baroni, for the government. With me at counsel table is a Marc Litt from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Special Agent Denice Lamond from the Internal Revenue Service, Special Agent Patrick Duffy from the FBI and a Pretrial Services officer just arrived, Margaret Smusz. THE COURT: Good morning, all. MR. LANKLER: Good morning, your Honor. I am Andrew Lankler. I represent David Friehling. THE COURT: Good to see, Mr. Lankler. Good morning, Mr. Friehling. Page 1 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT I understand, Mr. Friehling, that you want to change your plea of not guilty to the indictment to a plea of guilty to a several count information; is that correct? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: We have to go through several steps. First, Ms. Jones will arraign you and you will plead to the information. Then we'll put you under oath and then I have to ask you a number of questions under oath so you have to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If you fail to do that you expose yourself to additional penalties. I have to make sure that what you are doing is voluntary. If you know what you are doing and no one's SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 3 9C3AAFRIP Plea promised you anything, no one's threatened you in any way, what you are doing is because you want to do it and this is after you received your advice from Mr. Lankler and you are satisfied that you tell me you ar satisfied with your services. Then give through the constitutional rights that you have in every matter a defendant has for a speedy and public trial. I need to make sure even though I'm sure that Mr. Lankler's covered that thoroughly that you understand your rights that you are giving up. And lastly you will tell me what you did to make you guilty because I have to find that there is an independent basis in fact to sustain a plea and I have no interests in having a man who is innocent plead guilty to a crime. So we go through all of that and you have to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Do you understand? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I do. THE COURT: Do you wish me to proceed in this fashion? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, your Honor. THE COURT: First we'll arraign you to the information. COURTROOM DEPUTY: Please rise. You are David Friehling. THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I am. COURTROOM DEPUTY: Have you signed this waiver ever indictment? SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 4 9C3AAFRIP Plea THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I have. COURTROOM DEPUTY: Before you signed it did you discuss it with your attorney? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I did. COURTROOM DEPUTY: Did he explain it to you? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, he did. COURTROOM DEPUTY: Do you understand you are under no obligation to waive indictment? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I do. COURTROOM DEPUTY: Do you understand that if you do not waive indictment if the government wants to prosecute you they will have to present this case to a grand jury which may or may not indict you? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I do. COURTROOM DEPUTY: Do you realize that by signing this waiver of indictment you have given up your right to have this case presented to a grand jury? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. Page 2 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT COURTROOM DEPUTY: Do you understand what a grand jury is? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. COURTROOM DEPUTY: Have you seen a copy of the information? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. COURTROOM DEPUTY: Would you like me to read it to SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 5 9C3AAFRIP Plea you? THE DEFENDANT: No. COURTROOM DEPUTY: How do you plead? THE DEFENDANT: Guilty. THE COURT: All right. Before I can accept that plea we have to go through a number of different factors. We'll put that at rest for a few minutes and we'll examine you. Now Ms.Jones is going to put you under oath. (Defendant David Friehling sworn) COURTROOM DEPUTY: Please, state you full name for the record. THE DEFENDANT: David Gary Friehling. THE COURT: How old are you, Mr. Friehling? THE DEFENDANT: 49. THE COURT: Where were you born? THE DEFENDANT: Miami Beach Florida. THE COURT: Where did you receive your education? How far did you go, through college? THE DEFENDANT: Through graduate school. THE COURT: What college did you go to? THE DEFENDANT: Cornell University. THE COURT: And which part of Cornell? THE DEFENDANT: School of Industrial and Labor Relations. THE COURT: When did you receive your degree? SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 6 9C3AAFRIP Plea THE DEFENDANT: May of 1981. THE COURT: Was it a degree of Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science? THE DEFENDANT: Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations. THE COURT: Then you say you went on to graduate school? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Where did, do you work? THE DEFENDANT: Baruch College of New York City. THE COURT: Received a Masters in Business Administration? THE DEFENDANT: I never received my degree. I went for my MBA in accounting. THE COURT: How many years did you go? THE DEFENDANT: Approximately two and a half. THE COURT: Then did you take the test for a CPA? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I took -THE COURT: Pass the test? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I did. THE COURT: When did you receive the certificate? THE DEFENDANT: July of 1987. THE COURT: That was a certificate to practice as a Page 3 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT CPA? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 7 9C3AAFRIP Plea THE COURT: In New York state? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Tell me about a little bit about your personal life. Are you married? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I am. THE COURT: How long? THE DEFENDANT: 27 years this past August 29. THE COURT: Any children? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, three. THE COURT: How many? THE DEFENDANT: Three. THE COURT: How old are they? THE DEFENDANT: 24, 20 and 17. THE COURT: What do they do? THE DEFENDANT: My older son is a actor in California. THE COURT: He is a what? THE DEFENDANT: An actor. THE COURT: Did he go to college? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, he did. North University. THE COURT: School of Theater Arts? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: And the 20 year old? THE DEFENDANT: He is a junior at Duke University. THE COURT: What is he studying? THE DEFENDANT: Premed. SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 8 9C3AAFRIP Plea THE COURT: And the 17 year old? THE DEFENDANT: She is a senior in high school. THE COURT: Where does she go to high school? THE DEFENDANT: Clarkstown North High School in New City, New York. THE COURT: Does your wife work? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, she does. THE COURT: What does she do? THE DEFENDANT: Account manager for the New York Blood Service. THE COURT: I missed the company. THE DEFENDANT: New York Blood Service. THE COURT: What is that? THE DEFENDANT: New York Blood Service. THE COURT: Coming in to today, Mr. Friehling, have you had any medicine or alcohol or narcotics that could blur your thinking? THE DEFENDANT: No. THE COURT: Are you clear minded? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Have you discussed the case thoroughly with Mr. Lankler? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I have. THE COURT: And his staff? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 9 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT 9C3AAFRIP Plea THE COURT: Have you told them everything that you know about your case? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Have you held any information away from him? THE DEFENDANT: No. THE COURT: Are you satisfied about the advise he is giving? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Are you offering to plead guilty because you think that's the best think thing for you in this circumstances? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Your own decision, your voluntary act? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. COURTROOM DEPUTY: Has anyone threatened you in any way to cause to make this decision? THE DEFENDANT: No. COURTROOM DEPUTY: Has anyone promised anything to make this decision? THE DEFENDANT: No. COURTROOM DEPUTY: You are doing it because you think that's what you want to do? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. COURTROOM DEPUTY: Let me discuss your constitutional SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 10 9C3AAFRIP Plea rights. Do you understand that you have a right to a speedy and public trial? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. COURTROOM DEPUTY: That you are entitled to have a presumption of innocence? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. COURTROOM DEPUTY: As the case with every citizen of the United States? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. COURTROOM DEPUTY: That means that you can be found guilty of any crime unless the crime is charged and proved beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a unanimous jury? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. COURTROOM DEPUTY: That your entitled to an attorney to guide you and represent you in every step of these criminal proceedings? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. COURTROOM DEPUTY: If you cannot afford a lawyer the government will provide a lawyer free of charge; you are aware of that? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. COURTROOM DEPUTY: And alone or through the lawyer you can confront every witness against you and cross examine that witness and require any witness having favorable information to SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 11 9C3AAFRIP Plea come to the trial and testify whether that witness wishes to do so or not? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. COURTROOM DEPUTY: Do you understand also that you Page 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT would have the right to testify if you wished to testify but if you didn't wish to you wouldn't have to and no inference could be drawn against you? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. COURTROOM DEPUTY: But by pleading guilty you waive these rights and you give me the authority to sentence you the same way I could if the jury brought in a verdict of guilty against you? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. COURTROOM DEPUTY: You are pleading guilty to the knowledge of all of those rights that you are waiving? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I am. COURTROOM DEPUTY: Now, Ms. Baroni, I have a letter agreement that is before me of six pages. MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. I have the executed for, you Honor. THE COURT: May I see the executed copy. We'll mark all these pages with the executed copy as Court Exhibit 1. (Pause) THE COURT: I am looking at the 6th page of the original; is that your signature on this, Mr. Friehling? SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 12 9C3AAFRIP Plea THE DEFENDANT: Yes, it is. COURTROOM DEPUTY: Mr. Lankler, is that yours? MR. LANKLER: Yes, it is, your Honor. COURTROOM DEPUTY: Both signed November 2. MR. LANKLER: We signed them last night, judge. Last night was the 2nd. THE COURT: Today is the 3rd. Ms. Baroni, I am returning this to you, please, and I'll work with the copy. Ms. Baroni, will you summarize the several counts of the information to which Mr. Friehling will be pleading. MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. Count One of the superseding information charges the defendant with securities fraud. Count Two of the superseding information charges him with investment advisor fraud. Counts Three through Six charge making false filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Counts Seven, Eight and Nine charge the defendant with obstructing or impeding the administration of the Internal Revenue laws. THE COURT: Would you tell Mr. Friehling and me what it is that the government has to prove if the case went to trial on each of those counts. MS. BARONI: The elements of the offenses, your Honor? THE COURT: Yes. SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 13 9C3AAFRIP Plea MS. BARONI: Sure. With respect to Count One, securities fraud, in order to prove this crime the government would have to establish the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt: First, that in connection with the purchase or sale of a security the defendant did any one or more of the following: Employed a device scheme or artifice to defraud or made an untrue statement of material fact or omitted to state a material fact which made what was said under the circumstances Page 6 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT misleading, or engaged in an act, practice or course of business that operated or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the purchaser or a seller. Second, that the defendant acted knowingly, willfully or with the intent to defraud. And third, that the defendant knowingly used or caused to be used any means or instruments of transportation or communication in interstate commerce or the use of the mails in furtherance of the fraudulent conduct. And the government can also prove this through aiding and abetting liability, your Honor. With respect to Count Two -THE COURT: In other words, the government can prove Mr. Friehling's guilt either as a principal or as a person who aided and abetted a principal. MS. BARONI: That right, judge. SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 14 9C3AAFRIP Plea With respect to Count Two, investment advisor fraud, in order to prove this crime the government must show beyond a reasonable doubt the following four essential elements. First, that the defendant -- this also could be proven through aiding and abetting liability -- that there was an investment advisor, that either the defendant was investment advisor ar aided and abetted an investment advisor. Second, that the defendant either employed a device, scheme or artifice to defraud clients or perspective clients, that the defendant engaged in a transaction, practice or course of business which operated as a fraud and deceit upon those clients and perspective clients or that the defendant engaged in an act, practice or course of business that was fraudulent, deceptive and manipulative. Third, that the defendant devised or participated in such alleged device, scheme or artifice to defraud or engaged in such alleged transaction, practice or course of business knowingly, willfully and with the intent to defraud. Forth that the defendant employed such alleged device, scheme or artifice to defraud or engaged in such alleged transaction, practice or course of business by use of the mails or other instrumentality of interstate commerce. With respect to Counts Three through Six, making false filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the government to prove this offense would have to prove beyond a SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 15 9C3AAFRIP Plea reasonable doubt the following four elements: That the defendant was required to file an application, report or document with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations there under. Second, that the application report or document filed with the SEC contained false or misleading statements. Third, that the false or misleading statements were material. Fourth that the defendant acted knowingly and willfully. THE COURT: Again, this can be proved either as a principal or by aiding and abetting? MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. Page 7 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT THE COURT: And finally with respect to Count Seven through Nine which charges the defendant with obstructing or impeding the administration of the Internal Revenue laws, to prove this offense the government would have to show beyond a reasonable doubt first, that the defendant acted or endeavored corruptly, acted with corrupt intent. And second, that the defendant acted to obstruct or impede the administration of the Internal Revenue laws. THE COURT: Now, with regard to aiding and abetting -don't sit down yet, Ms. Baroni -- with regard to aiding and abet what is it that the government has to prove in each SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 16 9C3AAFRIP Plea instance? I can help you. I think there has to have been substantial help given by the defendant with knowledge that he was giving the help to assist another in committing a particular crime and investing enough interest in that as to make it his own. MS. BARONI: Right, your Honor. Under the statute we would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he aided, abetted, counseled, commanded, induced or procured the commission of a crime. THE COURT: It's not just helping. It's helping with the intent that he is helping another commit a particular crime and in such a way is not being indifferent to it but making his own in interest in his part to assist. MS. BARONI: That's right. THE COURT: That in each of the Counts One, Two, Three through Six, Seven through Nine charges Mr. Friehling as a principal; is that right? MS. BARONI: That's right, judge. THE COURT: Okay. And if you prove aiding and abetting -- you are still not finished Ms. Baroni. You'll sit tonight. And if you prove aiding and abetting it's the same for purposes of sentencing as if you were to prove the principal itself. MS. BARONI: That's right, your Honor. The statutory maximums are the same. SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 17 9C3AAFRIP Plea THE COURT: Now, let's discuss the statutory maximum with regard to each of these counts. MS. BARONI: Yes, judge. With respect to Count One, the securities fraud count, the maximum penalties are 20 years imprisonment, three years supervised release, a fine of the greatest of five million dollars or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, a mandatory $100 special assessment and restitution. With respect to -THE COURT: And with regard to supervised release in that count and others, there are conditions that come with it. A violation of the condition leads to a hearing and if appropriate the judge can sentence among other things the defendant to jail even though he has finished his jail term. MS. BARONI: That's right, your Honor. THE COURT: All right. MS. BARONI: With respect to Count Two, investment advisor fraud, the maximum penalties are five years imprisonment, three years supervised release, a fine of the greatest of $10,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the Page 8 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT offense, a mandatory $100 special assessment and restitution. With respect to Counts Three through Six, making a false filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment, three years supervised release, a fine of the greatest of $5,000,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, a mandatory SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 18 9C3AAFRIP Plea $100 special assessment on each count and restitution. Finally, with respect to Counts Seven, Eight ad Nine, the obstructing or impeding the administration of the Internal Revenue laws, each count, the maximum penalties for each count are three years imprisonment, one year supervised release, a fine of the greatest of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, a mandatory $100 special assessment on each count and restitution. And also with respect to Count One, your Honor, that the securities fraud count also requires a forfeiture which is alleged. THE COURT: Is the forfeiture only relevant to the securities fraud count? MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. THE COURT: You haven't mentioned forfeiture before. Does the government have funds that have been forfeited or the claims to be forfeited? MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. We would ask that your Honor allocute the defendant on the forfeiture count just so that he admits it. And the government anticipates providing to the Court in short order after today's appearance preliminary order of forfeiture and a stipulation and order of interlocutory sale of the defendant's properties. THE COURT: And what are those properties? MS. BARONI: Two pieces of real estate, your Honor. SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 19 9C3AAFRIP Plea THE COURT: Do you have the value estimates? MS. BARONI: No, the government doesn't have the value at this time, your Honor. THE COURT: All right. With regard to this punishment that you've read out the Court has discretion in many instances and under various guidelines to sentence on a concurrent basis or consecutive basis, meaning, that the sentences under each count can be given at the same time to be served or they can be added. MS. BARONI: That's right. And the statutory maximum total of incarceration that could be imposed on the defendant if they all were consecutive would be 114 years imprisonment but your Honor has the discretion as you said. THE COURT: Under various considerations and guidelines. Ms. Baroni. Thank you very much. You can be seated. Mr. Friehling, there's a number of points I wanted to make you are aware of. I've not studied these and I don't know to what extent I would find considerations for sentencing in other ways but I can sentence up to the statutory maximum. If you become disappointed in what I do when I sentence or in any other respect, once I accept your plea of guilty you are bound by it. You will not be able to withdraw it just because you are disappointed in what I do. Do you understand? Page 9 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT THE DEFENDANT: Yes. SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 20 9C3AAFRIP Plea THE COURT: I don't know what I'm going to do at sentence and that will be an exercise in itself. So if I don't know what it is I am going to do, no one can tell you what I am going to do. And any estimates of what I can do is false because I have not thought about it at all. Are you aware that I have this ability and power to sentence you under the law as I think appropriate at the time of sentencing. THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I do. THE COURT: To the extent you are disappointed in what I do will not be a basis for withdrawing from your guilty plea once I accept it. Are you aware of that? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: All right. Is there another agreement, Ms. Baroni, that I should be considering today as well? MS. BARONI: Your Honor, the only agreement is the agreement that we handed up to your Honor dated November 3rd the plea agreement. THE COURT: That's the one that was signed? MS. BARONI: Yes. THE COURT: All right. Have you discussed it with Mr. Lankler, this plea agreement? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I have. THE COURT: Have you gone over it very thoroughly? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I have. THE COURT: Do you understand that you have an SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 21 9C3AAFRIP Plea obligation expressed on page three of this letter truthfully and completely to disclose all information with respect to your activities and the activities of others that you know are aware of concerning all matters about which the U.S. Attorney's Office and a live investigating officer's inquire of you and that this information can be used for any purpose; you are aware of that? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir. THE COURT: You promise to cooperate fully with the Office of the US Attorneys, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service and any other law enforcement agency designated by the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I have. THE COURT: You promise to attend all meetings at which the U.S. Attorney's Office requests your presence? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: To provide to the office upon request any document, record or other tangible evidence relating to matters about which the U.S. Attorney's Office or any other designated law enforcement agency require of you? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: You testified truthful before a grand jury and at any trial and any other court proceeding with respect to any matters about which the U.S. Attorney's Office may request SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 22 9C3AAFRIP Plea Page 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT further testimony? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: And to bring to the office of the U.S. Attorney all crimes that you have committed and all administrative civil or criminal proceedings investigations or prosecutions, prosecutions in which you have been a subject, a target, a party or a witness? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: You promised that you will commit no further crimes what ever, right? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: And that you will provide notice to the U.S. Attorney's Office prior to discussing the conduct covered by the information in each of its nine counts with anyone other than the U.S. Attorney's Office, law enforcement agencies designated by the U.S. Attorney's Office and your own attorney? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: The next paragraph at the bottom of page three going onto page four provides that if you fully complied with all of the obligations on your part to be performed under this agreement you will not be further prosecuted criminally by the Office of the U.S. Attorney of the Southern District of New York and with respect to the particular tax offenses in the information the Tax Division Department of Justice and Department of Justice for crimes that are specified in this SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 23 9C3AAFRIP Plea letter? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Do you understand the agreement does not bind any federal, state or local prosecuting authority other than the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York and to the extent mentioned, the tax division and the Department of Justice? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: In the middle of page four you expressed the understanding which we've just discussed that the sentence that will eventually be imposed is within the sole discretion of the judge of the court, either myself or some other judge; you understand that? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: And the U.S. Attorney's Office does not make any promise and can't any make any promise or representation as to what sentence the Court will give. THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: And that it will not recommend a specific sentence to the Court. THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: But it will inform the Court of your cooperation. THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: And if all goes well and according to SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 24 9C3AAFRIP Plea understanding write a letter to me under Section 5K1.1 of the sentencing guidelines. THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Is it your understanding that under such a letter you will want some special consideration from me or Page 11 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT another judge with regard to your sentence? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: You are aware, however, that you could be disappointed. The government may feel that you are not cooperating sufficiently and refuse to write the letter? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Do you understand that? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: The letter will be written only if you comply in the government's opinion with all the conditions expressed in this document. THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Even if the government doesn't write its letter you've committed yourself to a plea of guilty. You cannot withdraw. You understand that? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: On page 5 the letter provides a commitment on your part not to commit any further crimes, not to testify falsely, incompletely and or any misleading information and not to give information to the government that is false, incomplete SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 25 9C3AAFRIP Plea or misleading. You are aware of that? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I am. THE COURT: And that if you violate you will not be able to get a 5K1 letter. THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir. THE COURT: As I said before, when it comes to sentence I will be looking at the sentencing guidelines. I will be looking at considerations of a more general nature having to do with what is just punishment. And to the extent of your cooperation I will be looking at the extent of your cooperation and devising a just sentence for you; you understand that? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I do. THE COURT: And since I've not studied any of this, I don't know what I am going to do, how I will sentence you. As I said before, even if you are disappointed in what I do you will not be able to withdraw from your guilty plea. THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Ms. Baroni, tell us how -- you are back on your feet -- how you are going to prove all of these nine different offenses and the forfeiture. MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. If this case had gone to trial the government would prove through testimony and documentary evidence beyond a reasonable doubt all of the factors. SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 26 9C3AAFRIP Plea THE COURT: All of the facts set forth in the superseding information. MS. BARONI: Specifically, the government would prove with respect to the first six counts that beginning as early, at least as early as 1991 from 2008, that Mr. Friehling was a license certified public accountant, that he was a sole practitioner at Friehling and Horowitz, CPAs. THE COURT: For that period of time? MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. THE COURT: 17 years, practiced alone? Page 12 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. THE COURT: No staff? THE DEFENDANT: No. MS. BARONI: No staff. His father-in-law had started the firm but he took it over when his father-in-law retired. THE COURT: When did his father-in-law retired? THE DEFENDANT: Formally retired in 1998. THE COURT: So the first seven years you worked with him? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Then alone? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. MS. BARONI: The government would further prove that Friehling and Horowitz was an accounting firm that was retained by Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities to audit its SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 27 9C3AAFRIP Plea financial statements that were filed with the SEC. THE COURT: When was he engaged? When was the firm engaged by Mr. Madoff? MS. BARONI: From at least 1991 to the present, actually, even earlier when Mr. Horowitz was at the firm. THE COURT: Throughout that 17 year period? MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. THE COURT: With yearly engagement letters, Ms. Baroni? MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. I don't know about engagement letters but they were retained every year and paid a monthly retainer every month throughout those years. These financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and were also available to clients, your Honor. And during that time Mr. Friehling, the government would prove beyond a reasonable doubt, that Mr. Friehling did not conduct a meaningful audit of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities, that his audits were not performed in accordance with the required standards which are GAAP and GAAS. THE COURT: GAAS is a shortening term for the Generally Accepted Auditing Standard and GAAP is a shortening for Generally Accepted Accounting Principals. MS. BARONI: That's right, your Honor. And that Mr. Friehling merely took the information given to him by Bernard Madoff and others and did not take SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 28 9C3AAFRIP Plea steps to conduct any independent verification of that information. THE COURT: In other words, just put his own imperator as an accountant on financial information given him by Mr. Madoff. MS. BARONI: That's right, your Honor. THE COURT: And expressed an opinion which recited that he had conducted an audit according to go Generally Accepted Auditing Standards and in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. MS. BARONI: Yes. THE COURT: And that in the opinion of the accounting firm of the statement presented fairly the conditions of the company is that each year end and that the income that was said to be earned was a true indication of the operating profits of Page 13 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT that company. MS. BARONI: That's right, the income and reliability but it was done on a fiscal year. Also, that the financial statements certified that he was independent but the government would prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Friehling was not an independent auditor and that he and his family had investment advisory accounts at Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities and those accounts were held in the name of his wife and others. THE COURT: Is there a disclosure of that in the SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 29 9C3AAFRIP Plea accounting statement? MS. BARONI: No, your Honor. The government would also prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Friehling knew at the time that he certified the financial statements, that they were materially false and that at the time that they were, that he caused them to be filed with Securities and Exchange Commission that he knew that they were materially false THE COURT: So he actually knew that the statements were false? MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. THE COURT: But nevertheless gave an opinion that stated that they were fair and accurate. MS. BARONI: Right. He knew that he did not perform any independent auditing function. The government would also prove that these criminal acts were conducted in Manhattan as well as in Rockland County. THE COURT: Both within the Southern District of New York. MS. BARONI: That's right, your Honor. THE COURT: So venue is satisfied. MS. BARONI: Yes. With respect to Counts Seven through Nine -THE COURT: So these proofs would show that he aided and abetted a device, scheme or artifice to defraud, that SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 30 9C3AAFRIP Plea untrue statements of material facts were being made, that the business itself was operating as a fraud or a deceit upon purchasers and sellers, and that all this was done willfully, knowingly and with the intent to defraud and that the mails and instruments of transportation and communication and interstate commerce were used. MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. The financial statements were filed with the SEC by mail by US mail many of the years. THE COURT: Now, we're up to the investment advisor fraud. MS. BARONI: Your Honor, that factual proffer covers the securities fraud, the investment advisor fraud and the making false filings with the SEC is all the same. THE COURT: Who was the investment advisor? MS. BARONI: Mr. Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities. So the government would prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant knew that Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities was a broker/dealer and also was an investment Page 14 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT advisor. THE COURT: And were the certified statements used by Mr. Madoff in a fraudulent way in connection with his functioning as an investment advisor? MS. BARONI: In connection with both sides of the SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 31 9C3AAFRIP Plea business, yes, your Honor. They were available to all clients. THE COURT: That takes you us through Three through Six because these financial statements were filed with the SEC and defendant was aware they were being filed with the SEC. MS. BARONI: That's right. THE COURT: He was aware as well that they were being used to induce continuing activities and purchase sales by the customers of Mr. Madoff's business; is that right? MS. BARONI: Well, yes, your Honor, he knew they were going to be filed with the SEC and he knew that they were available to certain clients upon request. THE COURT: And that they were actually -MS. BARONI: Right. THE COURT: Now Seven through Nine, this is obstructing or impeding the administration of the Internal Revenues laws. MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. If this case had gone trial the government would prove beyond a reasonable doubt that from 1991 through 2008, Mr. Friehling obstructed the administration of the Internal Revenue laws by assisting in the preparation of numerous false tax returns including individual income tax returns which are forms 1040 as well as -THE COURT: His own? MS. BARONI: No, your Honor. THE COURT: Madoff's? Whose tax return? SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 32 9C3AAFRIP Plea MS. BARONI: Numerous individuals, your Honor. THE COURT: Connected with anything in particular? MS. BARONI: No, your Honor. As I said, individual tax returns as well as tax returns for estates and trusts and that -THE COURT: In general or in connection with any kind of kind of specific activity? This also focused on the Madoff activity or things that you are going to prove that Mr. Friehling did in his own in a general way conducting his business. MS. BARONI: They were Mr. Madoff's individual tax returns as well as others' individual tax return and trust returns. THE COURT: Connected with Mr. Madoff in some fashion? MS. BARONI: Just others, your Honor. At this time the government will proffer that much. THE COURT: Okay. MS. BARONI: The government would also prove that these tax returns were filed with the IRS and that Mr. Friehling acted with corrupt intent when he assisted in the preparation and the filing of them. THE COURT: In other words, knowing that they were being filed to fool and deceive the IRS. MS. BARONI: Right. THE COURT: And to pay a lower tax than that which we Page 15 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 33 9C3AAFRIP Plea fairly do. MS. BARONI: Right, your Honor. THE COURT: And thereby placing the burden on everybody else. MS. BARONI: And that, that's right that he acted with corrupt intent and that he knew the returns were false at the time that they were filed. Also, the government would prove venue with respect to this that the criminal acts relating to these counts occurred in Manhattan and Rockland County in the Southern District of New York. THE COURT: Thank you, Ms. Baroni. And do you approve this set of fact the acts how? How would you prove it? MS. BARONI: The tax counts we would prove through testimony and documentary evidence. THE COURT: Mr. Lankler, have you reviewed the proofs that Ms. Baroni recites? MR. LANKLER: I have indeed, your Honor. THE COURT: Are you satisfied that Ms. Baroni could prove a prima facie case with respect to each of those nine counts? MR. LANKLER: I am, your Honor. THE COURT: Do you know of any defenses that could trump these proofs? MR. LANKLER: Not beyond a reasonable doubt, your SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 34 9C3AAFRIP Plea Honor. THE COURT: Mr. Friehling, are you offering to plead guilty because you believe that you are, in fact, guilty of each of these nine counts? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, your Honor. THE COURT: I am going to ask you to tell me what you did to make you guilty. And I suspect that Mr. Lankler's helped you prepare a statement. THE DEFENDANT: I have written a statement with the assistance of my attorney. THE COURT: You may read the statement but I will be asking you questions throughout. Proceed loudly. THE DEFENDANT: My name is David Friehling. I appear before your Honor today to take responsibility for my conduct in connection with my role as the auditor of BLMIS and a tax preparer for Bernard Madoff and others. THE COURT: BLMIS is short for? THE DEFENDANT: Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities. It is my understanding that I must now detail the specifics of the conduct and I will do so in connection with this statement. However, before I begin my formal allocution I wish to make your Honor aware of several important facts. First and foremost, it is critical for your Honor to be aware that at no time was I ever aware that Bernard Madoff SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 35 9C3AAFRIP Plea was engaged in a Ponzi scheme. In fact, I placed all of my Page 16 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT savings and the savings of my wife and children with BLMIS. I also established a bona fide pension fund with BLMIS into which I placed all of my retirement contributions. I was a member of the accounting firm of Friehling and Horowitz from 1989 to 2008. Friehling and Horowitz was the auditor of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities. Prior to my joining the firm my father-in-law Jerome Horowitz acted as the auditor for Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities. I assumed the responsibility as auditor of BLMIS in or around 1991 when my father-in-law retired. THE COURT: So it's 1991 that he retired? THE DEFENDANT: He didn't fully retire until 1998. He flew up and helped me and assisted me in the conduct of the audit. THE COURT: Did he do the field work for the audit? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. Well, the two of us together would. THE COURT: Go ahead. THE DEFENDANT: With the exception of my family members and some of the Madoff investors that I performed tax work for, I never had contact with Madoff investors and never acted as a feeder for BLMIS, solicited any investors for BLMIS or received any compensation from BLMIS other than the audit an tax preparation services I performed. SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 36 9C3AAFRIP Plea In what is surely the biggest mistake of my life I placed my trust in Bernard Madoff. While I am amongst thousands people who now make the same claim, I wish for your Honor to understand how I came to make not only this mistake but also how I came to suspend my judgment in committing crimes with which I am charged. I was introduced to Bernard Madoff by my father-in-law. My father-in-law was asked to perform work for BLMIS in 1963 by his then boss Saul Alpern who is Ruth Madoff's father. I have known my father-in-law since the summer of 1972 when his daughter, my future wife and I, first met. We began to date when we were 14, attended the same college and married when we were 22. When I was a senior in college I decide to I pursue a career in accounting and received my CPA license in 1987. I am prepared to accept responsibility for my conduct and do whatever I must to mitigate the impact it has had. From the first day that the federal prosecutors and investigators were ready to ask me questions I have made may myself available and have endeavored to answer every question put to me truthfully and fully to the best of my ability. I am here today first to take responsibility for my mistakes and second to apologize to the Madoff victims for the role that I now know that I played in Bernard Madoff' massive and devastating fraud. I am truly sorry for the suffering of all the victims. SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 37 9C3AAFRIP Plea I would also like to apologize once more to my father who lost his retirement sayings which is in our family investment account, to my children who lost their entire savings which we had worked so long and so hard to amass for their education and futures, and most especially to my wife who has lost everything that we have worked for over 27 years of marriage, not the Page 17 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT least of which is our good name. Thank you, your Honor for the opportunity to address the Court and to make a public apology to the Madoff victims. I would now like to specifically address the details of my conduct. With respect to the first six counts the information charging me with securities fraud, aiding and abetting, investment adviser fraud and making false filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, I committed these crimes in my capacity as an independent auditor of BLMIS and did so within the Southern District of New York, specifically, in Manhattan and Rockland County. Through my accounting firm Friehling and Horowitz I served as the auditor of BLMIS, a broker/dealer and investment adviser, as the individual who certified that BLMIS financial statements, I was obligated to maintain independence from BLMIS and to audit the books and records of BLMIS consistent with generally accepted auditing standards and generally accepted accounting principals. I was not independent of BLMIS inasmuch SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 38 9C3AAFRIP Plea as my entire savings and retirement account and the savings of my wife and children were invested in BLMIS. My investments at BLMIS exceeded $500,000. With respect to conduct to conducting GAAS and GAAP compliant audits, instead of following these standards and the standards set out by the AICPA of which I was a member, I did not conduct independent verification of BLMIS assets, review material sources of BLMIS revenue, rigorously examine the BLMIS bank accounts for which the BLMIS client funds flowed or verified the purchase and custody of securities by BLMIS. Instead I relied on the financial information provided by Bernard Madoff and other employees of BLMIS which I took at face value and used the information to prepare the BLMIS financial statements. I certified that those statements were accurate and that GAAS and GAAP standards and did so knowing that they would be filed with the SEC and disseminated with investors. THE COURT: Stop for a moment. Go ahead. Finish that. THE DEFENDANT: Indeed I was aware that the financial statements I certified were then sent to the SEC by the United States Postal Service and filed with the SEC on December 14, 2004, December 30, 2005, December 22, 2006 and December 20, 2007. THE COURT: The question I wanted to put to you is SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 39 9C3AAFRIP Plea whether you knew at the time you prepared the financial statements that you were providing no independent verification of that which GAAS required you to independently verify? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: You were aware of that? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: You were aware that as a CPA you could not just put on an opinion, you had to do an independent verification of assets and liability? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Right? Page 18 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: And that meant looking at all the accounts that were given to you and making sure that the assets were there? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Did these statements report customers' accounts? They may not. I am just asking a question. MR. LANKLER: Your Honor, it's a little difficult to answer that question. THE COURT: There was a line due from customers, was there not? MR. LANKLER: From broker/dealers, your Honor. THE COURT: From broker/dealers on accounts of customers? I want to know what you knew at the time regarding SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 40 9C3AAFRIP Plea what were owed to customers and what were to be received from customers. (Pause) MR. LANKLER: Your Honor, I think it would be helpful if rather than answer that question exactly the way you've put it because it deals sort of with the securities side of BLMIS that Mr. Friehling was not directly involved in in the same way that he was with respect to the general financial statements. THE COURT: I don't know what to ask specifically. I don't have these reports in front of me and I can't remember on my own and from the basis of my own experience exactly what these reports reported. So let me just give you the general question, Mr. Friehling. You knew that under the generally accepted auditing standards that had to inform your work there was an obligation on the part of your firm and on your part to make sure that all that was reported on these statements were fair and accurate, right? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: You had a number of tests that were ordinarily to be performed regarding that proposition? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: You could not express an opinion as to the fairness and accuracy of the financial condition of the company and of its operating profits without going through all of these SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 41 9C3AAFRIP Plea independent verifications? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Didn't you put your signature on there just as if you had done all of these verifications? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: By saying that you were signing statements that conformed with GAAS you were representing to anyone who would read these that you had done all of the independent verifications that a CPA is required to do? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: So you knew that when you put on your opinion it was a false opinion? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: And you knew that people would rely on that opinion? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. Page 19 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT THE COURT: And you knew that these statements would be filed with the SEC with your false opinion on it? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Ms. Baroni, you want me to pursue anything else? MR. LANKLER: Your Honor, we haven't concluded the allocution. MS. BARONI: I think that's sufficient, your Honor. THE COURT: Go on, Mr. Friehling. SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 42 9C3AAFRIP Plea THE DEFENDANT: With respect to Count Seven to Nine charging me with obstructing or impeding the administration of the Internal Revenue laws, in addition to acting as the auditor for BLMIS I also prepared tax filings for Bernard Madoff and others. In that capacity I prepared personal tax returns that contained information I knew that was not accurate and assisted in the filing of those returns with the Internal Revenue Service. Thank you, your Honor. THE COURT: Ms. Baroni, anything more you want me to pursue? I do need to ask questions on forfeiture. MS. BARONI: I think that's sufficient. Just venue on the Count Seven through Nine. THE COURT: Where were you working? Your office was in Rockland County, was it not? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, it was. THE COURT: And Rockland County is where you issued some of these false statements, right? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: And also the obstruction of the IRS was from Rockland County? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. MR. LANKLER: Your Honor, it was also in Manhattan as well if your Honor wishes to inquire. THE COURT: And also in Manhattan as well? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 43 9C3AAFRIP Plea THE COURT: Ms. Baroni, what shall I ask about forfeiture? MS. BARONI: Just simply whether the defendant admits to the forfeiture allegation in the superseding information. THE COURT: Set out on page 13. MS. BARONI: That's right, 13 and 14, your Honor. THE COURT: Paragraph 27 alleges that as a result of committing the offenses constituting specified, unlawful activity -- I'll skip the statutory reference -- alleged in Count One of the information. You shall forfeit to the United States all property real and personal that constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to the commission of the offenses; do you so agree? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: And if any of the above described forfeitable property is a result of any act or omission from you, can't be located or has been transferred or sold through a deposit with someone else or place beyond the jurisdiction of the court or been substantially diminished in value or commingled with other property which cannot be subdivided without difficulty, this property also can be forfeited or a Page 20 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT reasonable equivalent of such property. THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Anything else, Ms. Baroni? MS. BARONI: No, your Honor. SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 44 9C3AAFRIP Plea THE COURT: Before I make my findings, anything else I should inquire about? MS. BARONI: No, your Honor. I think that's sufficient. MR. LANKLER: No, your Honor. THE COURT: Ms. Friehling, I find you guilty of each of these nine counts. I find that your plea of guilty is -Let's not rush out, please. Sit down. Sit down. Sit down till this is finished then you can all leave. No one is to leave until this is finished. I find you guilty of each of these nine counts. I find that your plea is voluntarily made, is made understanding the consequence of such a plea and that there an independent basis of fact to sustain your plea of guilty to each of these nine counts. Accordingly, I instruct the clerk to enter a plea of guilty in place of your previously plea of not guilty. Do we have a control date for sentencing, Ms. Baroni? COURTROOM DEPUTY: February 26, 2010 at 11 a.m. MS. BARONI: That's fine with the government, your Honor. THE COURT: I instruct that Mr. Lankler or a member of his staff be given an opportunity to be present for any interview with Mr. Friehling to be conducted by the probation department. And I instruct Ms. Baroni to obtain a copy of this SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 45 9C3AAFRIP Plea transcript and furnish it to the probation department for any such interview to assist in the interview. With regard to the forfeiture clause, Ms. Baroni, what is next step? MS. BARONI: Your Honor, the government will deliver to your Honor's chambers this afternoon the preliminary order of forfeiture and the stipulation and order for the interlocutory sale of the defendant's properties. THE COURT: Can that be done before 1:30? MS. BARONI: Sure. THE COURT: Anything else I need to deal with before I finished up these proceedings? There one thing more, right? MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. The parties would jointly request that the bail conditions be continued and actually the parties have a joint proposed package for your Honor that increases the current bail conditions. THE COURT: Please recite them. MS. BARONI: It would be $2.5 million personal recognizance bond cosigned by eight financially responsible people. The bond would be secured by approximately $1 million to $1.2 million of equity in five different properties, the properties owned by the cosigners. THE COURT: This is all stated in your letter of November 2, is it not? MS. BARONI: The defendant's letter. SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. Page 21 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT (212) 805-0300 46 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 9C3AAFRIP Plea MR. LANKLER: My letter, judge. THE COURT: Have you read that letter? MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. THE COURT: Mr. Lankler, may it be filed? MR. LANKLER: Yes, your Honor. In addition I have my client's wife's travel documents which we're prepared to turn them over to Pretrial Services. THE COURT: Fine. And, Ms. Smusz, you have reviewed this as well? MS. SMUSZ: No, your Honor, but I have spoken to defense counsel on several occasions and they have recited to me what they intend to do with modifying the defendant's bail. THE COURT: So, it's a $2,500,000 personal recognizance bond to be signed by the defendant and eight financially responsible persons. MS. BARONI: That's correct. THE COURT: Have you very reviewed who these are? MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. The government through the FBI ' interviewed all of them and we find them to be financially responsible. THE COURT: And there are eight properties? MS. BARONI: There are five properties. THE COURT: And the aggregate estimated net equity in those five properties are between a million dollars and a million two hundred thousand dollars? SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 9C3AAFRIP Plea MS. BARONI: That's correct, judge. THE COURT: Are any of them homes? MS. BARONI: Yes. THE COURT: Residents in which people reside? MS. BARONI: That's right. THE COURT: So people are pledging their peoples to assure that there is no danger to the security of the people, the places or the government and that there is responsibility to attend all court dates and on the part of Mr. Friehling? MS. BARONI: Yes. THE COURT: Travel is restricted to the Southern District of New York, the Eastern District of New York and District of New Jersey. MS. BARONI: That's right. And the defendant has surrendered his passport and his wife will now surrender her passport to Pretrial Services. THE COURT: And will make no new applications. MS. BARONI: That's right. THE COURT: There will be regular Pretrial Services supervision; what does that mean? MS. SMUSZ: Your Honor, as the defendant is reporting now he appears in person once monthly and telephones weekly. THE COURT: Is he required to keep a land line phone. MS. SMUSZ: No. That is not a requirement of that supervision. SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 47 48 1 2 9C3AAFRIP THE COURT: for you to call. Plea I'd like to impose it to make it easier Page 22 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Transcript - Friehling Plea Hearing held 11-3-2009.TXT MS. SMUSZ: That will be fine, your Honor. THE COURT: Do you have a land line phone? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I do. You will maintain it throughout so that when you are called on a land line phone that's where you will answer as required by the probation office. Anything else, Ms. Muse? MS. SMUSZ: No, your Honor. THE COURT: Ms. Baroni? MS. BARONI: No, your Honor. THE COURT: You consent to the continuation of these bail conditions? MS. BARONI: The government does, your Honor. THE COURT: And urges me to accept them? MS. BARONI: Yes, your Honor. MR. LANKLER: I urge you to accept it as well, your Honor. THE COURT: Before I make my findings I'd like to ask if there is anyone in the audience who wishes to address me? This is your chance, folks. If you want to write letters, the fact that you are here enables me to consider anything. All right, there is no one that wants to add anything. I order the continuation of bail with the enhanced SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 49 9C3AAFRIP Plea terms that have been expressed in court and found by me. Anything further? MS. BARONI: That is all from the government, your Honor. Thank you. MR. LANKLER: No, your Honor. Thank you very much. THE COURT: Ms. Muse? MS. SMUSZ: No, your Honor. THE COURT: The proceedings are then recessed. Anyone wishing to leave can now leave. o 0 o SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 Page 23

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