Prominent rabbi tried to blackmail Conn. hedge fund, court finds

A prominent Brooklyn rabbi has been convicted in a scheme to extort a Connecticut-based hedge fund into paying millions of dollars to two schools.
JUL 27, 2010
A prominent Brooklyn rabbi has been convicted in a scheme to extort a Connecticut-based hedge fund into paying millions of dollars to two schools. Rabbi Milton Balkany was found guilty in Manhattan federal court Wednesday of extortion, blackmail, wire fraud and false statement charges. Prosecutors say the 64-year-old Balkany threatened and lied to workers at the unnamed hedge fund to persuade them to send him checks totaling $3.25 million. They say he told them he was a spiritual adviser to an inmate who had knowledge of insider trading connected to the hedge fund. Information about Balkany's lawyer was not immediately available. Balkany faces up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud count at his sentencing Feb. 18.

Latest News

SEC corporate enforcement hits multi-decade low as agency refocuses on fraud
SEC corporate enforcement hits multi-decade low as agency refocuses on fraud

Just five actions were started in the first half of fiscal 2026, a new analysis finds.

Beyond the Business: Why Advisors Must Help Owners Separate Wealth from Identity
Beyond the Business: Why Advisors Must Help Owners Separate Wealth from Identity

For business owners, the company is often more than an income source. It becomes their largest asset, their retirement plan, and in many cases, part of their identity. Advisors who understand that dynamics can deliver far greater value than traditional financial planning alone

Ex-Edward Jones advisor gets three-year prison sentence for stealing from widow
Ex-Edward Jones advisor gets three-year prison sentence for stealing from widow

John S. Winslow, 57, was indicted just over a year ago for his scheme to steal from an elderly client.

Vestmark, Hamachi push AI further for advisor portfolio intelligence
Vestmark, Hamachi push AI further for advisor portfolio intelligence

Hamachi's new model portfolio partnership and an industry-first solution from Vestmark join the growing wave of AI tools for wealth managers.

Advisor moves: Cetera's enterprise channel draws experienced Osaic duo in California
Advisor moves: Cetera's enterprise channel draws experienced Osaic duo in California

Meanwhile, LPL attracted a five-advisor team managing $380 million in Kansas, while a veteran with stripes from Morgan Stanley, UBS, and Fidelity has joined Prime Capital Financial.

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

SPONSORED Durability over scale: What actually defines a great advisory firm

Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline