Shell Company Defendant on False Merchant Accounts Got 7 Years Short Motions Denied

Shell Company Defendant on False Merchant Accounts Got 7 Years Short Motions Denied By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 12 – Brandon Becker is charged with submitting falsified merchant applications through shell companies, to the tune of millions of dollars. Now he's got a new, retained lawyer.    On February 2, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Loretta A. Preska held a proceeding. Inner City Press covered it.    Becker's new paid lawyer filed a notice of appearance back on January 31, but it had to be signed off on by Judge Preska.  On February she relieved Becker's previous lawyer and OK-ed the new one. On June 11, 2024, Becker's lawyer wrote in again in support of his application to modify conditions of release - arguing that the 2015 Tesla is owned solely by his wife. On August 30, after the US opposed and Judge Preska denied Becker's application to bring in Quinn Emanuel as counsel and adjourn trial to February 2025, on no public notice he came to plead guilty. Inner City Press was there, thread: OK - now at guilty plea of Brandon Becker in connection with a fraudulently scheme to obtain credit card processing services for his deceptive Florida-based telemarketing operation through a California company called CardReady LLC.   Defendant: I'm told this is my best option.. I had a few drinks on the airplane here last night. This is stressful. [His co-defendant was sentenced to 78 months]   AUSA: The bank was Wells Fargo. Judge; The plea agreement has a stipulated sentencing guideline of 108 to 135 months... Defendant: I didn't know at the time it was wrong. But I'm pleading guilty to all of it. Defense counsel: May we have a moment? [They step out of courtroom]  Defendant: Sorry, I didn't understand. I'm ready to proceed. Judge: Did you have the requisite intent, mens rea. Did you know it was wrong and against the law. AUSA: Did he lie to banks? Defendant: I did. Judge: I accept your guilty plea. On March 26, the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking for 108 months. Sentencing was set for March 31. On March 31, Becker got seven years or 84 months. On May 14 co-defendant Breier got a time served sentence. Jump cut to November 11, 2026 when co-defendant Short's motion to reconsider denial of his request to vacate his sentence was itself denied. It was mail to him at the Residential Reentry Office in Wildwood, Florida. The case is USA v. Becker, 1:19-cr-704 (Preska) *** Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron. Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com Mail: Box 130222, NY NY 10013 Other, earlier Inner City Press are listed here, and some are available in the ProQuest service, and now on Lexis-Nexis.  Copyright 2006-2026 Inner City Press, Inc. To request reprint or other permission, e-contact Editorial [at] innercitypress.com