December 8, 2023 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Disbarred Attorney Sentenced to 33 Months for Collusive Scheme

Legal Corruption Unveiled: Disbarred Attorney’s Shocking Plot 

By Dolores Quintana

Disbarred attorney Paul O. Paradis, formerly of Paradis Law Group in New York City, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison today. Paradis, 60, residing in Scottsdale, Arizona, received the sentence from United States District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. after pleading guilty in January 2022 to bribery.

Paradis was involved in a collusive lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles, simultaneously representing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and a ratepayer. The scheme involved accepting a secret kickback of nearly $2.2 million to allegedly facilitate the representation of his ratepayer client in a lawsuit against the city, enabling a favorable settlement.

In 2013, LADWP faced class-action lawsuits from ratepayers due to a faulty billing system, prompting Paradis’s involvement. While representing the city in a lawsuit against PricewaterhouseCoopers, Paradis also represented ratepayer Antwon Jones. Unbeknownst to Jones, Paradis orchestrated a “white knight” strategy, recruiting another lawyer to represent Jones, ensuring a lawsuit favoring the city’s terms.

Paradis received a secret kickback of $2,175,000 after a $67 million settlement in Jones v. City was approved in 2017. The kickback was concealed as a real estate investment through shell companies. Additionally, Paradis admitted to bribing LADWP’s general manager, David H. Wright, for a $30 million no-bid contract. Wright was promised the CEO position at Paradis’s company, Aventador Utility Solutions, and a $1 million annual salary.

Paradis cooperated with federal investigators, leading to guilty pleas from Wright, Thomas H. Peters, former City Attorney’s Office litigation chief, and David F. Alexander, LADWP’s former Chief Information Security Officer. Federal prosecutors recommended an 18-month sentence, citing Paradis’s cooperation. Judge Blumenfeld imposed a 33-month sentence, emphasizing the need to address Paradis’s conduct that “shattered public confidence in the government and legal profession.” Wright and Alexander are serving federal prison sentences of six years and four years, respectively, after pleading guilty to felony offenses in this case. Peters was sentenced to probation.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Assistant United States Attorneys J. Jamari Buxton and Susan S. Har of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section prosecuted this case.

in News
Related Posts

(Video) The Christmas Tree at The Abbey of West Hollywood has been lit

December 8, 2023

December 8, 2023

 The Holidays have officially begun in Weho with festive cheer @culvercitywlanews The Christmas Tree at The Abbey of West Hollywood....

Culver City Marijuana Dispensary Hit in Bold Armed Robbery – Police Seek Public Assistance

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

Culver City Police Asks For Community Cooperation in Identifying Suspects By Dolores Quintana On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at approximately...

LA County’s Winter Virus Surge: New Respwatch Dashboard Unveiled to Track COVID-19, Flu, and RSV

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

Stay Informed, Stay Safe: County Launches Comprehensive Surveillance Tool for Respiratory Viruses By Dolores Quintana In the past week, respiratory...

(Video) Get in the Holiday Spirit at Santa Monica Place

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

With Free photos with Santa and a Giant Christmas Tree, Santa Monica Place is must visit this season! @culvercitywlanews With...

Norman Lear’s Legacy Illuminated at 2023 Sentinel Awards Celebrating Impactful TV Storytelling

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

Beverly Hills Event Honors Lear’s Enduring Influence on Television and Social Narratives By Dolores Quintana The Writers Guild Theater in...

LA City Council To Vote on Recommendation Which Could Eliminate Al Fresco Space

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

Vote To Take Place in 24 Hours, Small Restaurant Urges Action From Food Fans By Dolores Quintana A last-minute development...

Herd & Grace Elevates Meat Shopping with Grand Opening of Flagship Store in West LA

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Premium Meat Retailer Launches First Brick-and-Mortar, Offering Chef-Grade Proteins  Herd & Grace, renowned for its premium meats previously available through...

Citizen Public Market Unveils Intriguing Monthly ‘Citizen Quarterly’ Culinary Experience

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

WeHo Sausage Co.’s ‘The PRESS’ Launches This Delicious New Pop-Up Event By Dolores Quintana Citizen Public Market introduces Citizen Quarterly,...

LA Times Unveils Top 101 Restaurants in Los Angeles for 2023 – Westside Gems Shine Bright

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Food Critic Bill Addison’s Culinary Examination Recognizes Outstanding LA Eateries By Dolores Quintana The Los Angeles Times food critic Bill...

Second Fatality Linked to Panera’s Charged Lemonade Sparks Legal Action

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Panera Faces Lawsuit Over Caffeinated Beverage Following Tragic Death By Dolores Quintana Panera Bread is under legal scrutiny again as...

Culver City Police Officers’ Association Spreads Holiday Magic with Santa’s Sleigh Tour

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Santa’s Sleigh Tour Unveils a Joyful Twist This Season With New Look  By Dolores Quintana The Culver City Police Officers’...

LA Metro Boosts Train Buzz: Faster Rides and Later Service Begin December 10

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Responding to Rider Surge, Metro Improves Frequencies On A, C, E, and K Lines By Dolores Quintana Responding to an...

Lyft Spreads Holiday Cheer: $20K in Free Ride Credits for Disabled and Elderly Residents in LA

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Partnering with Local Organizations, Lyft Gives Back to Ease Holiday Travel Struggles  By Dolores Quintana As the holiday season unfolds,...

Highlights from PRIDE Night at ICE at Santa Monica!

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

Last week, ICE at Santa Monica dazzled the community with its highly successful annual PRIDE night. The event, filled with...

(Video) Fat + Flour Now Open in Culver City

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

Located at 11739 Washington Blvd, Nicole Rucker’s glorious pie and pastry shop + restaurant welcomes new customers and longtime fans....