Patrick Lee ordered surrendered over alleged US bank fraud

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The High Court ordered the surrender of Patrick Lee (41), of Newtown, Co Kildare, to face US fraud, money-laundering and identity-theft charges. The proceedings were reported on 18 March 2015.

American authorities sought his extradition for 51 offences: 29 counts of wire fraud, six counts of unlawful monetary transaction and 16 counts of aggravated identity theft. The report said the offences carried a total maximum sentence of up to 42 years in prison. Mr Lee absolutely denies the allegations.

Mr Justice John Edwards said he was disposed to surrendering Mr Lee and remanded him on continuing bail until Friday, when a detailed judgment explaining the decision was due.

Counsel for the Attorney General, Cathleen Noctor BL, had previously said properties around Boston were purchased between 2006 and 2007 and converted into apartments. Ms Noctor said all the properties fell into foreclosure and lenders lost money.

Kieran Kelly BL, for Mr Lee, previously said US Customs and Border Protection records showed his client was outside the US when eight of the 51 alleged offences occurred. He also argued that surrender should be refused because 30 alleged offences postdated the enactment of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and should be treated as committed in Ireland.

Ms Noctor said 22 of those alleged offences occurred while Mr Lee was outside the US, but he had provided no evidence of his whereabouts and “could have been anywhere”. She said the indictment permitted prosecution in Massachusetts for conduct outside that jurisdiction.

Mr Lee claimed proceedings continued despite a co-accused’s acquittal in Massachusetts. The report also said he had bought pre-paid tickets for flights to Ireland on dates in 2006. In an affidavit, he claimed he would not receive adequate care for health concerns in US prisons and said removal would shatter his family life.