New York attorney Perry S. Reich, whose clients have ranged from convicted murderer Joel Steinberg to the placid Village of Atlantic Beach, has been indicted on federal charges of forging a judge's order, obstruction of justice and lying to federal investigators. . . .
[I]f convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
But not everyone thinks he did it:
Manhattan attorney Jacob Zamansky of Zamansky & Associates, who represented one of the defendants in the Ryan Beck matter, said of the creation of a false document, "It was probably one of the most bizarre legal things I've ever seen in my life. I couldn't imagine who would do such a thing."
Why anyone would do this is "beyond comprehension," said Zamansky. "I don't see [Reich] as having anything to gain from this."
Stuart D. Meissner, a securities attorney with his own firm, represented another defendant in Ryan Beck. Asked why Reich, or anyone, would attempt to falsify a court order, he said, "I have no idea. Frankly, I am surprised. I am shocked."
Meissner added, "Reich seemed very knowledgeable in the law, normal, a very qualified attorney. That's why I'm so surprised. But this is just an indictment. Everyone's entitled to a presumption of innocence. I hope this works out for him."
Read the bizarre details here from the New York Law Journal via Law.com.