Lori Zeno, founder of Queens Defenders, intends to enter a guilty plea in a federal fraud case.

Lori Zeno, the former executive director of the Queens Defenders, is poised to enter a guilty plea in connection with a federal fraud case against her. This development follows a recent court filing that reveals her intentions to take responsibility for her actions. Zeno, alongside her former partner Rashad Ruhani, has been accused of embezzling funds from the public defender organization, allegedly diverting approximately 0,000 to finance a lavish lifestyle.

In June, both Zeno and Ruhani were indicted on multiple charges, with prosecutors alleging that they siphoned off money from the Queens Defenders to cover extravagant expenses, including rent for a ,000-per-month penthouse in Astoria, vacations to destinations like Bali and Southern California, and lavish dining experiences. A superseding indictment issued this month outlines the extent of the alleged financial misconduct and adds weight to these claims.

A letter filed by federal prosecutors with the Brooklyn Federal Court expressed that Zeno’s attorney had communicated her desire to plead guilty. The correspondence also proposed a possible hearing date for this plea on January 5, 2024. While Zeno’s attorney, Anthony Ricco, has confirmed that his client is prepared to accept responsibility, the specific charges to which she will plead guilty, as well as the potential implications for her sentencing, remain uncertain at this point. A representative for U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella declined to comment on the matter.

Zeno held the executive director position at Queens Defenders from 2018 until her departure in January 2025, when she was forced out amid the growing controversy. Court documents indicate that Zeno began a romantic relationship with Ruhani shortly after hiring him as a client advocate in October 2023. Ruhani, who had been paroled in 2022 after serving 26 years in state prison for a robbery conviction, was subsequently promoted by Zeno to oversee youth programs within the organization.

The indictment also highlights Zeno’s recruitment of Ruhani’s family members and associates to roles with minimal responsibilities. Among these was a woman, married to Ruhani for about a decade prior, hired as the director of a fictitious “health and wellness” program with an annual salary of ,000. This individual, who resides in Saudi Arabia, reportedly never reported to work.

Charges against Ruhani remain active, along with those against a third individual, Kimberly Osorio, who allegedly assisted Ruhani in disposing of a phone during a flight to JFK Airport, fearing law enforcement’s impending investigation. As the case progresses, the implications for Zeno and her co-defendants remain closely scrutinized. Media News Source.