Former legal assistant Christopher Reese faces federal charges after being found guilty of unauthorized practice and fraud

New York – In a major legal development, Christopher Reese, also known as “Christopher Eugene Thomas,” was convicted yesterday for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme that targeted criminal defendants and their families, defrauding them out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Reese, who falsely presented himself as a legal expert, promised favorable outcomes in federal criminal cases, offering unlicensed legal services to those seeking help. Despite having no legal credentials, he managed to convince victims to pay exorbitant fees for services he was not authorized to provide.

The conviction came after a trial in which the jury found Reese guilty of multiple charges, including wire fraud, unauthorized practice of law, making false statements to the U.S. Probation Office, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Reese, who is already in federal custody for a separate case, will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni on June 26, 2025.

Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky spoke out about the case, condemning Reese’s fraudulent activities. “Christopher Reese committed fraud through his bogus legal practice,” said Podolsky. “He promised his victims that he would get their family members out of prison when he knew he had no way to guarantee that outcome, and induced them into paying him for legal services he knew he wasn’t authorized to provide. As a unanimous jury has now found, Reese’s promises were lies designed to enrich Reese at the expense of his victims. Running an unlicensed law business is a crime, and Reese now faces serious federal prison time for his fraudulent conduct.”

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Reese’s criminal activities spanned over several years, during which he set up a deceptive operation targeting federal inmates, as well as their family members and friends. Operating without any legal qualifications, Reese styled himself as a “legal assistant” or “paralegal,” but in reality, he was acting outside the bounds of the law by providing services that only licensed attorneys can offer. These included drafting and submitting legal filings in federal courts, a role that he was not authorized to undertake.

Reese’s fraudulent scheme involved convincing his victims that he could achieve favorable results for criminal defendants, including promises of immediate releases, in exchange for hefty fees. He often charged thousands of dollars per legal filing, with the false assurance that the defendant would be released from prison once his motions were submitted. In some cases, Reese even offered a refund if his motions were unsuccessful, but when these motions inevitably failed, he kept the victims’ money without providing any services of value.

The fraudulent legal services were rendered in connection with cases heard by federal courts, including the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. This area, located at 40 Foley Square in Manhattan, is a federal enclave where New York’s prohibition against the unauthorized practice of law is applicable under the Assimilative Crimes Act. Reese knew that operating in this jurisdiction without a valid law license was illegal but continued his fraudulent practice nonetheless.

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As the trial revealed, Reese made substantial earnings from his scam, accumulating hundreds of thousands of dollars from his victims. Yet, his criminal activities did not stop at defrauding his clients. Reese was also under supervised release for a separate federal criminal case at the time he ran his fraudulent operation. In an attempt to avoid paying restitution, Reese made false statements to the U.S. Probation Office. Additionally, he used a co-conspirator to launder the proceeds of his scheme, concealing the origins of the money he had illegally obtained.

Reese, 57, from East Meadow, New York, was convicted of wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. He was also found guilty of unauthorized practice of law in a federal enclave, which could lead to up to four years in prison, and making false statements to the U.S. Probation Office, which has a potential sentence of five years. Lastly, the charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. Although Reese was found not guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the convictions for the other charges present serious legal consequences for him.

The case has been praised for the exceptional investigative efforts put forward by the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Their work, alongside the prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josiah Pertz, Kingdar Prussien, and James McMahon, was critical in bringing Reese to justice.

Reese’s conviction is a stark reminder of the serious consequences that come with the unauthorized practice of law and fraudulent schemes. His actions not only jeopardized the well-being of those who trusted him but also undermined the legal system that is designed to protect the public. With his sentencing set for June 26, 2025, Reese will face a significant period of incarceration, reflecting the severity of his crimes.

This case underscores the importance of ensuring that legal services are provided only by licensed professionals, especially in high-stakes situations involving criminal cases. The legal community, as well as the general public, must remain vigilant against individuals like Reese who seek to exploit vulnerable people for personal gain. As Podolsky noted, “Running an unlicensed law business is a crime,” and those who engage in such conduct will be held accountable for their actions.

While Reese’s conviction is a victory for justice, it also serves as a cautionary tale for others who may attempt to operate outside the law. The legal system is clear in its stance against the unauthorized practice of law, and those who choose to ignore these rules do so at their own peril.