Difference between revisions of "Benzion Zirkind"
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| name = Benzion Zirkind (also Bentzion Zirkind) | | name = Benzion Zirkind (also Bentzion Zirkind) | ||
| nationality = Canadian / American | | nationality = Canadian / American | ||
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| known_for = Conviction for conspiracy to commit money laundering in drug trafficking scheme | | known_for = Conviction for conspiracy to commit money laundering in drug trafficking scheme | ||
| criminal_charge = Conspiracy to commit money laundering | | criminal_charge = Conspiracy to commit money laundering | ||
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'''Benzion Zirkind''' (also spelled Bentzion Zirkind) is a Hasidic member of the [[Chabad-Lubavitch]] movement from the Zirkind family of Montreal who was a defendant in a major US federal money laundering case tied to international drug trafficking.<ref name="InnerCityPress">Matthew Russell Lee, [https://www.innercitypress.com/sdny23ccotezalmundzirkindicp011521.html For Money Laundering Zalmund Zirkind Gets 84 Months] ''Inner City Press'', 15 January 2021.</ref> | '''Benzion Zirkind''' (also spelled Bentzion Zirkind) is a Hasidic member of the [[Chabad-Lubavitch]] movement from the Zirkind family of Montreal who was a defendant in a major US federal money laundering case tied to international drug trafficking.<ref name="InnerCityPress">Matthew Russell Lee, [https://www.innercitypress.com/sdny23ccotezalmundzirkindicp011521.html For Money Laundering Zalmund Zirkind Gets 84 Months] ''Inner City Press'', 15 January 2021.</ref> | ||
| − | He is the nephew of [[Zalman Zirkind]] | + | He is the nephew of [[Zalman Zirkind|Zalmund (Zalman) Zirkind]], as stated by the US government and by his own lawyer, who called Zalmund “his uncle”.<ref name="Government178">[https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.540420/gov.uscourts.nysd.540420.178.0.pdf Government sentencing letter, 12 January 2021], ''United States v. Bomba et al.'', 1:19-cr-00463 (S.D.N.Y.), Document 178.</ref><ref name="Defence206">[https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.540663/gov.uscourts.nysd.540663.206.0.pdf Defence sentencing memorandum, filed 23 January 2021], ''United States v. Bomba et al.'', 1:19-cr-00463 (S.D.N.Y.), Document 206.</ref> His lawyer also referred to his father's arrest, without naming his father. The filing does not establish that [[Mark Zirkind]] is his father.<ref name="Defence206" /> |
| − | + | He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on 29 October 2020; he was not convicted after a trial.<ref name="Forfeiture240">[https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.540663/gov.uscourts.nysd.540663.240.0.pdf Consent forfeiture order, 19 February 2021], ''United States v. Bomba et al.'', 1:19-cr-00463 (S.D.N.Y.), Document 240.</ref> On 22 February 2021 Judge Denise Cote sentenced him to a year and a day in prison, three years' supervised release and $20,000 forfeiture.<ref name="Judgment239">[https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.540663/gov.uscourts.nysd.540663.239.0.pdf Judgment in a criminal case, 22 February 2021], ''United States v. Bomba et al.'', 1:19-cr-00463 (S.D.N.Y.), Document 239.</ref><ref name="Forfeiture240" /> His lawyer subsequently reported that he had reported to prison on 9 April 2021.<ref name="Letter275">[https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.540663/gov.uscourts.nysd.540663.275.0.pdf Defence letter, 13 April 2021], ''United States v. Bomba et al.'', 1:19-cr-00463 (S.D.N.Y.), Document 275.</ref> | |
| − | Zirkind | + | His sentencing memorandum recited the government's position: “The Government does not have evidence that Benzion Zirkind knew the funds were narcotics proceeds, or understood the precise mechanisms for laundering the funds after he picked them up and delivered them to others in New York.” His lawyer acknowledged that he knew the operation was illegal, while arguing that his role was limited to moving money within Brooklyn.<ref name="Defence206" /> |
== See also == | == See also == | ||
| Line 24: | Line 23: | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
Latest revision as of 09:01, 6 November 2026
Hasidic Chabad member convicted in international drug money laundering scheme
| Benzion Zirkind (also Bentzion Zirkind)
| |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Canadian / American |
| Known for | Conviction for conspiracy to commit money laundering in drug trafficking scheme |
Benzion Zirkind (also spelled Bentzion Zirkind) is a Hasidic member of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement from the Zirkind family of Montreal who was a defendant in a major US federal money laundering case tied to international drug trafficking.[1]
He is the nephew of Zalmund (Zalman) Zirkind, as stated by the US government and by his own lawyer, who called Zalmund “his uncle”.[2][3] His lawyer also referred to his father's arrest, without naming his father. The filing does not establish that Mark Zirkind is his father.[3]
He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on 29 October 2020; he was not convicted after a trial.[4] On 22 February 2021 Judge Denise Cote sentenced him to a year and a day in prison, three years' supervised release and $20,000 forfeiture.[5][4] His lawyer subsequently reported that he had reported to prison on 9 April 2021.[6]
His sentencing memorandum recited the government's position: “The Government does not have evidence that Benzion Zirkind knew the funds were narcotics proceeds, or understood the precise mechanisms for laundering the funds after he picked them up and delivered them to others in New York.” His lawyer acknowledged that he knew the operation was illegal, while arguing that his role was limited to moving money within Brooklyn.[3]
See also
Zalman Zirkind Colel Chabad Lubavitch Foundation of Israel Chabad-Lubavitch
References
- ↑ Matthew Russell Lee, For Money Laundering Zalmund Zirkind Gets 84 Months Inner City Press, 15 January 2021.
- ↑ Government sentencing letter, 12 January 2021, United States v. Bomba et al., 1:19-cr-00463 (S.D.N.Y.), Document 178.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Defence sentencing memorandum, filed 23 January 2021, United States v. Bomba et al., 1:19-cr-00463 (S.D.N.Y.), Document 206.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Consent forfeiture order, 19 February 2021, United States v. Bomba et al., 1:19-cr-00463 (S.D.N.Y.), Document 240.
- ↑ Judgment in a criminal case, 22 February 2021, United States v. Bomba et al., 1:19-cr-00463 (S.D.N.Y.), Document 239.
- ↑ Defence letter, 13 April 2021, United States v. Bomba et al., 1:19-cr-00463 (S.D.N.Y.), Document 275.