New York Lawyer Charged in Cross-State Ponzi Adoption Scheme

MINEOLA, N.Y. – Prosecutors have charged a New York attorney with victimizing 13 couples in a multistate, Ponzi-like adoption scam.

Kevin Cohen of Roslyn was arraigned Wednesday on an indictment accusing him of grand larceny and other charges.

Nassau County prosecutors say Cohen promised couples from New York, Georgia, Ohio, Texas and Florida that he could arrange adoptions. In reality, the babies never existed.

They have likened the case to a Ponzi scheme. Prosecutors claim Cohen partially refunded some disappointed couples with proceeds he collected from subsequent couples. He is suspected of scamming at least $300,000.

Cohen is being held on $500,000 bail, which defense attorney Matin Emouna says Cohen can't post. Emouna declined to comment on the specific allegations.