Samuel Israel news stories on Newser

Israel to Proceed Directly to Jail

Harry Kimball — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:50:19 CDT

A federal judge in New York ordered white-collar fugitive Samuel Israel to start serving his 20-year fraud sentence immediately, the Wall Street Journal reports, and ruled that his $500,000 bail be forfeited. "My hope is it will be applied to the resources taxpayers incurred to find Mr. Israel," the...

Israel to Judge: I Did Attempt Suicide

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:24:17 CDT

A hedge-fund cheat who faked his death to try to dodge a 20-year prison sentence has told a judge that he did actually try to commit suicide this week. Samuel Israel appeared in Manhattan federal court today for a new charge that could get him an extra 10 years.

Fugitive Hedge- Fund Swindler in Feds' Custody

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:02:52 CDT

It's official: Samuel Israel definitely isn't dead. The fugitive hedge-fund swindler turned himself in today, federal authorities say. Israel disappeared last month on the day he was supposed to report to federal prison. His car was found parked near a bridge over the Hudson River, with the words "suicide is...

Girlfriend of Fugitive Fund Chief Charged

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:21:42 CDT

The girlfriend of a hedge fund swindler whose car was found abandoned in New York has been charged with helping him elude his sentence. Police arrested Debra Ryan today and accused her of aiding and abetting the escape of Samuel Israel III, who bilked investors out of $450 million. He...

Bridge 'Suicide' Ruled Fugitive

Peter Fearon — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:57:03 CDT

A New York hedge fund manager who bilked investors out of $400 million has been declared a fugitive by federal authorities, reports Bloomberg. "Suicide has been ruled out,'' said a spokesman for the US Marshals Service. Samuel Israel disappeared the day he was scheduled to begin a 20-year sentence...

With No Body, Cops Doubt NY Banker's Suicide

Jason Farago — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:31:00 CDT

An international manhunt is now under way for a former hedge-fund manager who disappeared the day he was to begin serving a prison sentence for defrauding investors. A car belonging to Samuel Israel III was found Monday at a bridge over New York's Hudson River, the Wall Street Journal reports;...

Hedge Fund Fraud Missing; Suicide Possible

Kevin Spak — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:23:06 CDT

Police aren't ruling out suicide as a New York hedge-fund manager due to begin serving a 20-year prison term yesterday remains missing, the Wall Street Journal reports. Police found Samuel Israel's car parked near a bridge over the Hudson, with “Suicide is painless” written in dust on the hood.

Hedge Fund Fraud Gets 20 Years

Nick McMaster — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:45:35 CDT

The founder of defunct hedge fund Bayou Group was given a 20-year prison term today for bilking investors out of more than $400 million, Bloomberg reports. Samuel Israel must also pay $300 million in restitution for masterminding a “ponzi scheme” in which investment returns were paid with new investors’ money....