BOSTON - The man convicted of using a mortgage fraud scheme to buy and renovate a landmark Hull mansion has been granted permission to hire a new lawyer before his sentencing May 24.
Jamie Edelkind told U.S. District Judge Morris Lasker yesterday that attorney Robert Sheketoff of Boston failed to provide him with an adequate defense.
Edelkind said that while he was incarcerated at a federal medical facility at the former Fort Devens awaiting trial, he had limited contact with Sheketoff. He said he was never given a copy of an updated list of charges until two days before his trial.
While removing Sheketoff as Edelkind's lawyer of record, Lasker took issue with Edelkind's complaints that he was kept in the dark about his case.
“After a case where the client is convicted, it's understandable to think somebody could do a better job,” Lasker said during a hearing yesterday. “I happen to think Mr. Sheketoff did a terrific job.”
A jury last month convicted Edelkind of four counts of bank fraud following a six-day trial. Prosecutors said Edelkind fabricated a series of documents indicating that his wife Linda, a full-time homemaker, was earning $200,000 a year at a sham company he founded called Apostille.
He subsequently obtained a series of mortgage refinancings for ever-larger amounts between 2000 and 2004, and got $730,000 in home-equity loans that he used to renovate the house at 940 Nantasket Ave. and pay personal expenses.
Apostille, which Edelkind said developed a computer program to fight music piracy, had no significant revenues or paid employees.
The 15-room mansion was once the summer home of former Boston Mayor “Honey Fitz” John Fitzgerald, the grandfather of President John F. Kennedy. The government is seeking forfeiture of the property and attempting to seize nearly $580,000 in cash-out refinancing proceeds that Edelkind allegedly wired last year to a bank account controlled by his wife. Linda Edelkind and the couple's children moved to her native Norway last fall, prosecutors say.
Edelkind has been held without bail at the Essex County House of Correction since his conviction. Shackled and wearing an orange prison jump-suit and several days' growth of beard, he carried a thick file folder of documents to the appearance yesterday.
Citing concerns that sentencing could be delayed, assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina Barclay opposed Edelkind's request to remove Sheketoff as his lawyer until he got a new lawyer. Edelkind faces up to 30 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to $1 million on each of the four counts, although courts rarely impose the maximum sentence in such cases.
Edelkind said he has met with two potential replacements for Sheketoff, but has hired neither because he has no assets to hire a lawyer. He declined Lasker's offer of a court-appointed attorney.
Lasker said he expects Edelkind to notify the court of his new lawyer before the May 24 sentencing.
Lasker also warned Edelkind that he could face perjury charges if he lied about having no remaining assets. “Since you've been convicted by a jury of making false financial statements, I don't want to expose you to the same charges,” he said.
Lasker is expected to rule on the government's request to seize the house and mortgage proceeds on or before Edelkind's sentencing.
Steve Adams may be reached at sadams@ledger.com.
Copyright 2005 The Patriot Ledger Transmitted Wednesday, April 13, 2005