‘Enforcer’ for New York lawyer’s alleged fraud scheme to be released on bail
A Brooklyn federal judge upheld $1.5 million bail and home detention on Tuesday for an alleged “enforcer” accused of threatening a man at gunpoint for money in a Staten Island lawyer’s scrap-metal fraud scheme.
Charged with kidnapping, extortion and gun possession, Michael Beck, 59, waved to his family members in court as he was escorted by U.S. marshals to a prosecutor-requested bail appeal hearing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Moira Kim Penza argued that Beck was a danger to the community after allegedly leading a “double life” with ties to organized crime. Penza said, behind his family’s back, Beck had frequent communication with co-defendant George Padula, who allegedly claimed to have organized crime connections.