Andrew Caspersen Pleads Guilty To $40M Fraud
Andrew Caspersen, an ex-Wall Street executive and descendant of a wealthy family, pleaded guilty this week to federal charges that he defrauded friends, family, and a hedge fund billionaire's foundation out of almost $40 million. He pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud and one count of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum penalty of twenty years imprisonment. Caspersen's decline is nearly unfathomable. He is an Ivy-League educated financier whose attorney claimed that a "compulsive gambling addiction and mental illness" forced him to orchestrate and run a Ponzi-like scheme. “The people I harmed were people I cared for the most,” Caspersen said, reading from a statement. His voice wavered as he stumbled over the last words, “I could not be more sorry or ashamed for my crimes.” The plea was expected. His attorney stated that Caspersen would not fight the charges. It is yet to be seen whether Federal Judge Jed S. Rakoff will [...]