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Prisoner Law Consultant in Michigan Pleads Guilty to Defrauding BOP
Loaded on Aug. 1, 2020
by David Reutter
published in Prison Legal News
August, 2020, page 32
Filed under:
Restrictions on Consultation Rights,
Drug Testing/Treatment Programs.
Location:
Michigan.
by David M. Reutter
A guilty plea to conspiracy and wire fraud charges was entered in a Michigan federal district court on December 4, 2019, by Tony Tuan Pham, also known as Anh Nguyen, in his role of coaching prospective and current federal prisoners on how to qualify for the Residential Drug Abuse Program, a 500-hour residential substance abuse program, and receive a shortened sentence.
Pham, 50, a “Managing Partner” at Michigan-based RDAP Law Consultants, and those he supervised contacted federal criminal defendants and prisoners through unsolicited emails and telephone calls to assist them, for a fee, to qualify for the RDAP.
Despite knowing many of the clients did not abuse drugs or alcohol and were ineligible for the program, Pham coached them on how to feign or exaggerate a drug or alcohol disorder to gain entry to the program, which allows prisoners to qualify for up to 12 months early release.
The scheme earned RDAP Law Consultants $2,628,137 in client fees from September 2102 through January 2019. When the scheme began, Pham was living in a residential reentry center.
Pham was originally supposed to be sentenced in March 2020, but that was suspended until at least August.
Source: justice.gov
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- Survey of 8,000 Prisoners’ Political Views Finds Surprising Results, by David Reutter
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- Justice Department and GEO Group Challenge California’s Ban on Private Prison and Detention Facilities, by Matthew Clarke
- Nevada Court Rules Prison Officials Withheld Evidence from Prisoner, by David Reutter
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- Coronavirus Will Not Be Controlled in Country Until It Is Controlled in Prisons and Jails, by Michael D. Cohen, MD
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- Interview: Jessica Sandoval of Unlock the Box on Solitary Confinement, by Ken Silverstein
- $5,400 Payout by Montana DOC Over Ex-Prisoner’s Claim of Religious, Gender Discrimination, by David Reutter
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More from these topics:
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- Rhode Island Takes Uncommon Steps to Address a Common Problem: Drug Addiction in Prison, Sept. 1, 2020. Drug Testing/Treatment Programs, Deterrence/Recidivism.
- U.S. v. Manzella, No. 06-3434 (3rd Cir.) (475 F.3d 152) (February 2, 2007) (Judge Thomas L. Ambro), Jan. 1, 2007. Punch And Jurists, Drug Testing/Treatment Programs.
- Kuna v. Daniels, No. Civ. 02-526-HA (D.Or.) (234 F.Supp.2d 1168) (October 20, 2002) (Judge Ancer L. Haggerty), Feb. 1, 2003. Punch And Jurists, Drug Testing/Treatment Programs.
- Mitchell v. Andrews, No. CVF995551OWWGHB (E.D.Cal.) (235 F.Supp.2d 1085) (March 29, 2001) (Judge Oliver W. Wanger), Feb. 1, 2003. Punch And Jurists, Drug Testing/Treatment Programs.
- Roe v. City of New York, No. 00 Civ. 9062 (RWS) (S.D.N.Y.) (232 F.Supp.2d 240) (November 19, 2002) (Judge Robert W. Sweet), Nov. 1, 2002. Punch And Jurists, Drug Testing/Treatment Programs.
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