Time-share attorney pleads guilty to obstruction of justice
The former general counsel of an Egg Harbor Township, N.J.-based company admitted Wednesday to conspiring to obstruct justice when the company's founders were on trial for defrauding time-share owners.
The former general counsel of an Egg Harbor Township, N.J.-based company admitted Wednesday to conspiring to obstruct justice when the company's founders were on trial for defrauding time-share owners.
Joshua L. Gayl, 36, former general counsel of VO Financial Corp., pleaded guilty in federal court in Camden to one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, prosecutors said.
Gayl became general counsel to VO Financial, formerly Vacation Ownership Group, after its employees were charged in 2012 with offering phony consulting services to time-share owners.
Prosecutors said Gayl, of Lafayette Hill, misled a witness in the 2013 trial who was one of the company's scam victims, sent refund payments to other potential witnesses in an attempt to influence their testimony, and lied in response to a subpoena.
Company executives Adam and Ashley Lacerda, and two other employees of VO Group, were convicted of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and other crimes. A federal jury found that they had defrauded hundreds of clients who believed their money would get them out of time-share commitments.
Adam Lacerda was sentenced to 27 years in prison; Ashley Lacerda has not yet been sentenced.
Gayl faces a maximum of five years in prison at his September sentencing.
His attorney, Ellen C. Brotman of the Griesing Law firm in Philadelphia, said Gayl "accepted responsibility for the serious mistakes he made" and regrets his conduct.
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