Adoption fraud brings 11-year term
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A woman who lied to adopt 11 disabled children, whom authorities say she abused while she collected more than $1 million in subsidies, was sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison.
U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman said Judith Leekin, 63, engaged in “a heartless, dangerous, money-driven scheme” as she defrauded social service agencies in New York City and New York state.
Leekin pleaded guilty to wire and mail fraud in May. Berman ordered her to serve 10 years and 10 months, nearly three years more than she agreed to in a plea deal. He also ordered her to forfeit $1.68 million to benefit the children.
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