On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, the Supreme Court of New Jersey reinstated attorney Christopher Campos to the practice of law after being suspended for his involvement in a fraud scheme.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Christopher Campos” with case no. 088266.
The charges cited United States Code sections 18 U.S.C. § 1349, 18 U.S.C. § 2 and 1343, and New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct Rules 8.4 (b) and (c).
The New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.
The case stemmed when the petitioner was indicted on three counts of misconduct namely: 1) conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud; 2) bank fraud and; 3) wire fraud. Petitioner’s convictions involved the use of straw buyers to illegally purchase new vehicles for his taxi business. The scheme involved dozens of buyers who borrowed money to buy new cars they could not afford, for vehicles they claimed were for their own personal use, but were actually leased out to others and driven as cabs on the streets of New York.
The petitioner’s criminal scheme involved false statements used to defraud banks, his friends, and his family. The petitioner first learned of the scheme in February 2013 and his role in the scheme was to solicit straw buyers. Although he was to receive a percentage of the earnings for every person he recruited, he never made any money, because law enforcement discovered the scheme prior to the business becoming profitable.
At the criminal trial, the petitioner admitted to having agreed with his co-conspirators to recruit potential investors who used their own credit to secure the vehicles that would subsequently lease as livery taxis. The jury found respondent guilty on all counts. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution of over $3 million.
The filing states:
“During the respondent’s December 8, 2017 sentencing hearing, Judge Caproni enhanced his sentence, in light of his supervisory role in recruiting straw buyers. She characterized the respondent’s assertion that the scheme was a legitimate business investment as “silly,” and opined that he “knew he was lying to the bank.”
In lieu of this, the Discipline Review Board recommended then that the petitioner be disbarred. The court considered both mitigating and aggravating factors and found that disbarment is the appropriate quantum of discipline to protect the public and to preserve confidence in the bar. On May 8, 2020, the Supreme Court of New Jersey, after the respondent pleaded guilty, determined that a prospective three-year suspension is the appropriate sanction.
After serving the disciplinary period, the petitioner filed for reinstatement. In relation to this, the court on June 13, 2023, ordered that the respondent be restored to the practice of law after having been suspended for a period of three years.
The Disposition states:
“ORDERED that Christopher Campos formerly of Hoboken, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 2003, and who was suspended from the practice of law for a period of three years effective May 12, 2020, by Order of this Court filed May 12, 2020, be restored to the practice of law, effective immediately.”
Attorney Campos practices in Hoboken, New Jersey. He is licensed in New Jersey. His info can be found on Linkedin.com.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
