Overview

• Lori Zeno and Rashad Ruhani were indicted on wire fraud, theft of federal funds and money laundering conspiracy charges for misappropriating about $60,000 from Queens Defenders.
• The indictment claims the duo used corporate credit cards to cover a $6,000-a-month penthouse, trips to Bali and Southern California, high-end meals and luxury goods.
• Between August and October 2024, Ruhani submitted roughly $39,000 in false expense reports by labeling personal rent as client defense and foster care costs.
• Ruhani was arrested at JFK Airport after arriving from California, while Zeno—ousted as executive director in January—remains at large awaiting arraignment.
• The city reassigned Queens Defenders’ indigent-defense contracts to Brooklyn Defenders effective July 1 to ensure uninterrupted legal services.