Patrick Lee surrender ordered over US bank fraud charges

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. US 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 denied the allegations, describing them as incorrect and untrue.

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 court’s reasons was to be delivered.

Cathleen Noctor BL, for the Attorney General, previously told the court that properties around Boston were purchased between 2006 and 2007 and converted into apartments. She said Mr Lee allegedly prepared fraudulent appraisals despite not being a fully licensed appraiser under Massachusetts law and received about $1 million for his role. She said all the properties fell into foreclosure and lenders lost money.

Mr Lee claimed the proceedings continued despite a co-accused’s acquittal in Massachusetts. Kieran Kelly BL, for Mr Lee, said US Customs and Border Protection records showed his client was outside the US when eight alleged offences occurred. He also argued that 30 alleged offences postdated the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and should be treated as having been committed in Ireland, preventing surrender under Irish legislation.

Ms Noctor said 22 of those alleged offences occurred while Mr Lee was outside the US, but he had provided no evidence of where he was and could have been anywhere. She said the indictment allowed prosecution in Massachusetts for matters committed outside that jurisdiction.

In an affidavit opened in court, Mr Lee claimed he had health concerns for which he would not receive adequate care in the US prison system. He also said removal from his family would shatter his family life.