NEW YORK, June 28 (UPI) -- If it hadn't been for the attacks on the World Trade Center, four New York City brokerage firm executives may never have been prosecuted.
Polina Sirotina, Mamed Mekhtiev, Albert Guglielmo and Philip Levenson face maximum sentences of 30 years in prison after being found guilty of money laundering, conspiracy and mail fraud.
They are convicted of scamming $110 million from their clients in a scheme that came to light when jittery investors called to check on their money after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
About 1,400 investors worldwide were lured with promises of high profits by the Evergreen International Spot Trading, and First Equity Enterprises, The New York Post reported.
Andre Koudachev, a millionaire who allegedly masterminded the scheme and is a fugitive in Moscow.
Action at First Equity, located on the 15th floor of one of the Twin Towers was often limited to one employee playing computer games, Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Monaco said.
