New York City Files Federal Racketeering Lawsuit Against Manhattan Law Firm Over Alleged Personal Injury Fraud Scheme
New York City has initiated a federal racketeering (RICO) lawsuit against Manhattan-based law firm Asher & Associates PC, its owners Ryan and Roberta Asher, and nine unnamed individuals. The lawsuit, filed in New York's Southern District, alleges that the firm orchestrated a widespread fraud scheme. According to the city, the firm filed at least 15 lawsuits, and potentially hundreds more, seeking tens of millions of dollars for client injuries that were falsely attributed to the city's roadways or their maintenance. The complaint details instances where clients claimed injuries from roadway defects, but evidence provided to paramedics, emergency room personnel, or police contradicted these claims, linking injuries to other events such as fights, being struck with objects, skids on wet pavement, or motor vehicle collisions. The city's Corporation Counsel, Steven Banks, stated that the firm undermined the civil justice system by operating an illegal scheme to defraud taxpayers and fabricating personal injury...