Blackstone Labs employee pleads guilty to conspiracy

[IronMagazine.com]

Blackstone Labs employee pleads guilty to conspiracy

A former employee of Blackstone Labs on Thursday pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud FDA by hiding information about illegal products labeled as dietary supplements, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.

David Winsauer worked for Blackstone Labs from 2014 to 2018, and according to court documents, he helped to manage the supplement company’s marketing, website and direct-to-consumer sales.

The U.S. government and Winsauer agreed that if the case proceeded to trial, the government would prove beyond a reasonable doubt the crime of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Winsauer knew “Blackstone Labs operated in a manner that was intended to impair, impede, obstruct and defeat the FDA’s ability to regulate food, drugs and dietary supplements,” according to a “factual proffer” filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

For instance, Winsauer knew that at the direction of co-defendants Phillip Braun and Aaron Singerman, Blackstone Labs depicted itself on social media, the firm’s website and in communications to and from consumers as a company that manufactured products in compliance with federal law, according to the factual proffer. But the factual proffer stated Braun, Singerman and Winsauer knew Blackstone Labs’ portrayals were untrue.

Winsauer also knew “Braun, Singerman, Blackstone Labs and other co-conspirators arranged to remove information about illegal products from Blackstone Labs’ website and online marketing to create the impression that Blackstone Labs was no longer selling those products,” the factual proffer stated. Yet, Winsauer knew several of the co-defendants “continued to sell unlawful products after they were removed from Blackstone Labs’ website and public advertising,” according to the factual proffer.

Winsauer is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 12 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, DOJ said.

“The FDA regulates dietary supplements to protect the health of American consumers,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton of DOJ’s Civil Division, said in a news release. “The Department of Justice will prosecute individuals and companies who undermine that mission by deceiving the FDA.”

In 2019, Blackstone Labs and its co-founders were indicted by a federal grand jury for selling illegal substances in products marketed as dietary supplements, including anabolic steroids. Key employees and manufacturing partners also were named in the 14-count indictment.

One of the defendants, Robert DiMaggio, a co-founder of Blackstone Labs, pleaded guilty in 2019 to count one of the charges, and he is awaiting sentencing.

Six co-defendants are scheduled to go to trial on Oct. 12. However, they recently requested a continuance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the motion was filed, U.S. District Judge William Dimitrouleas scheduled a hearing for Sept. 24 to review the request to postpone the trial.

Robert Buonauro, an attorney representing Winsauer, did not immediately respond to a request for comment concerning his client’s guilty plea. Attorneys for the other co-defendants scheduled for trial in October also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Source: https://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/regulatory/blackstone-labs-employee-pleads-guilty-conspiracy

[Van_Bilderass]

What is the likelihood either Braun or Singerman or both actually see some jail time over this? Somehow I think they will get off - any law experts here?

[IronMagazine.com]

Somehow I think they will get off - any law experts here?

How so?

[bhank]

I doubt this is high priority I mean what were they selling sarms?

[deadz]

I doubt this is high priority I mean what were they selling sarms?

Defrauding the Govt. is a low priority. 🙄

[Van_Bilderass]

How so?

So you're sure they will go to jail? I mean I don't know but these guys can probably afford high priced lawyers etc.

[Body-Buildah]

I doubt this is high priority I mean what were they selling sarms?

Superdrol, Epistane (orally-active steroids) and other PH's...

[IronMagazine.com]

So you're sure they will go to jail? I mean I don't know but these guys can probably afford high priced lawyers etc.

Hopefully they have an OJ Simpson 'dream team' cause they are going to need it.

[pamith]

Brutal if true

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

What is the likelihood either Braun or Singerman or both actually see some jail time over this? Somehow I think they will get off - any law experts here?

Trump is no longer in office so this will end very quickly and violently.   I believe they will get 5 years in prison at the very least....not so much for the supplements but for the money laundering with those damn houses and cars  They not only sold the product but when they were sent the warnings, they created 2 separate companies and moved it to those companies to sell it which is basically thumbing their nose to the FDA.   PJ and Aaron will eventually plead guilty for a plea bargain but they are definitely doing prison time.

Bocuzzi will get 1-2 years...forging a signature as an FDA inspector.  Winsaur will get a year and Diamaggio will get no prison time...probation and fine.

It really hurts for me somewhat because i definitely don't want Aaron going to prison.   He helped me out a ton and i would still be ringing up lumber and screws at Lowes if it wasnt for him.  Ive always respected Bocuzzi and i even to some extent respect Diamaggio for his innovations to the supplement industry.  IronMagLabs makes great products.  But they fucked up big time and the charges are way too serious for an outcome other than prison time

Dave Palumbo got 5 months in prison just for selling a little bit of growth hormone.  This is involving multi-million dollar operation.  Unless they got something up their sleeves, they are going to get some real time

[Van_Bilderass]

Trump is no longer in office so this will end very quickly and violently.   I believe they will get 5 years in prison at the very least....not so much for the supplements but for the money laundering with those damn houses and cars  They not only sold the product but when they were sent the warnings, they created 2 separate companies and moved it to those companies to sell it which is basically thumbing their nose to the FDA.   PJ and Aaron will eventually plead guilty for a plea bargain but they are definitely doing prison time.

Bocuzzi will get 1-2 years...forging a signature as an FDA inspector.  Winsaur will get a year and Diamaggio will get no prison time...probation and fine.

It really hurts for me somewhat because i definitely don't want Aaron going to prison.   He helped me out a ton and i would still be ringing up lumber and screws at Lowes if it wasnt for him.  Ive always respected Bocuzzi and i even to some extent respect Diamaggio for his innovations to the supplement industry.  IronMagLabs makes great products.  But they fucked up big time and the charges are way too serious for an outcome other than prison time

Dave Palumbo got 5 months in prison just for selling a little bit of growth hormone.  This is involving multi-million dollar operation.  Unless they got something up their sleeves, they are going to get some real time

Alright, we will see. At least 5 years you say, that's harsh. Maybe they deserve it but that would be quite a stretch of time.

I was trying to find Aaron's "Renegade Jew" posing routine on youtube, from when he competed but couldn't find it  Quite the renegade thumbing his nose at the FDA 

[Jayel]

This is good news. Singerman and Braun are both to$$ers.

[Vince B]

It really hurts for me somewhat because i definitely don't want Aaron going to prison.   He helped me out a ton and i would still be ringing up lumber and screws at Lowes if it wasnt for him. 

A bloke does something for you and you disregard anything else he has done? Great logic.

[nerdoldnerdith]

Fuck the FDA with a stick blender. They are one of the most corrupt piece of shit institutions in government that will try to destroy your life if you interfere with Big Pharma's profits.

[G_Thang]

What is the likelihood either Braun or Singerman or both actually see some jail time over this? Somehow I think they will get off - any law experts here?

Singerman is Louisiana-born(?) and Florida base along with being a Jew. He won't even see community service.  I have no clue who Braun is.  Maybe he ends up the fall guy.

[tommywishbone]

Fuck the FDA with a stick blender. They are one of the most corrupt piece of shit institutions in government that will try to destroy your life if you interfere with Big Pharma's profits.

Bingo.

Selling PED's. LOL!

Those murderers! They killed hundreds of... nobody.  They forced millions to... do nothing.

Plus Superdrol kicks ass!

[Notomorrow]

It's about money. The case is basically asking for forfeiture of assets as part of the sentence as described below. They want cash, homes, cars,etc. as they threw so many counts at each defendant, from distribution of a controlled substance to money laundering, it's clear they want a plea deal, which if they have a good attorney they probably will get. But this will be a HUGE financial hit to PJ and his co defendants. The Feds are demanding essentially all money and property of everyone involved. This is 16598 Fleur de Lis home whose owner is listed as Aaron Singerman that the Feds want. Even the Mercedes they demand.



Upon conviction of a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1957, as
alleged in this Indictment, any defendant so convicted shall forfeit to the United States, pursuant
to Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(a)(l), any property, real or personal, involved in such
offense, or any property traceable to such property.
6. The property that is subject to forfeiture includes, but is not limited to, the
following:
Real Property:
a) The real property known and numbered as 284 NE 7th Street, Boca Raton,
Florida, together with all improvements, appurtenances, attachments, and fixtures thereon and
therein;
b) The real property known and numbered as 16598 Fleur de Lis Way, Delray
Beach, Palm Beach County, together with all improvements, appurtenances, attachments, and
fixtures thereon and therein;
Bank Accounts:
Certified funds in the amount of $223,430.40 (US) made payable by JP Morgan
Chase Bank, N.A. to the United States Marshals Service by cashier's check number 4555916142,
dated March 6, 2017, which were seized pursuant to a warrant from account number 117352830
held at JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., in the name of Blackstone Labs, LLC;
Automobiles:
One (1) 2012 Mercedes (VIN number WDDRK7HAXCA008764);

Business equipment: The business equipment located at 1140 Holland Drive, Suite
12, Boca Raton, Florida, which includes the following:
a) PER-FIL Micro-C Single Head Automatic Auger Filler;
b) CVC-EC30 Wrap Labeler;
c) C60 Hot Stamp Printer/Coder;
d) Titan Pharmaceutical - Fully Automatic Encapsulation Machine;
e) Titan Pharmaceutical - V-Mixer model TVM-1000;
f) ProFiller 3700 capsule-filling system;
g) ProFiller 3700 capsule-filling system;
h) Semi-Auto Capsule Filler Model DJS-8; and
i) Electronic Channel Counter (12-track).
Forfeiture Money Judgment(s): A sum of money equal in value to the following,
for which the United States will seek entry as a forfeiture money judgment against a convicted
defendant as part of that defendant's sentence in this case.

[Van_Bilderass]

Singerman is Louisiana-born(?) and Florida base along with being a Jew. He won't even see community service.  I have no clue who Braun is.  Maybe he ends up the fall guy.

That's what I'm thinking as well. Singerman most likely has the best Jew lawyers too. Pay out the ass but avoid jail time.

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

It's about money. The case is basically asking for forfeiture of assets as part of the sentence as described below. They want cash, homes, cars,etc. as they threw so many counts at each defendant, from distribution of a controlled substance to money laundering, it's clear they want a plea deal, which if they have a good attorney they probably will get. But this will be a HUGE financial hit to PJ and his co defendants. The Feds are demanding essentially all money and property of everyone involved. This is 16598 Fleur de Lis home whose owner is listed as Aaron Singerman that the Feds want. Even the Mercedes they demand.



Upon conviction of a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1957, as
alleged in this Indictment, any defendant so convicted shall forfeit to the United States, pursuant
to Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(a)(l), any property, real or personal, involved in such
offense, or any property traceable to such property.
6. The property that is subject to forfeiture includes, but is not limited to, the
following:
Real Property:
a) The real property known and numbered as 284 NE 7th Street, Boca Raton,
Florida, together with all improvements, appurtenances, attachments, and fixtures thereon and
therein;
b) The real property known and numbered as 16598 Fleur de Lis Way, Delray
Beach, Palm Beach County, together with all improvements, appurtenances, attachments, and
fixtures thereon and therein;
Bank Accounts:
Certified funds in the amount of $223,430.40 (US) made payable by JP Morgan
Chase Bank, N.A. to the United States Marshals Service by cashier's check number 4555916142,
dated March 6, 2017, which were seized pursuant to a warrant from account number 117352830
held at JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., in the name of Blackstone Labs, LLC;
Automobiles:
One (1) 2012 Mercedes (VIN number WDDRK7HAXCA008764);

Business equipment: The business equipment located at 1140 Holland Drive, Suite
12, Boca Raton, Florida, which includes the following:
a) PER-FIL Micro-C Single Head Automatic Auger Filler;
b) CVC-EC30 Wrap Labeler;
c) C60 Hot Stamp Printer/Coder;
d) Titan Pharmaceutical - Fully Automatic Encapsulation Machine;
e) Titan Pharmaceutical - V-Mixer model TVM-1000;
f) ProFiller 3700 capsule-filling system;
g) ProFiller 3700 capsule-filling system;
h) Semi-Auto Capsule Filler Model DJS-8; and
i) Electronic Channel Counter (12-track).
Forfeiture Money Judgment(s): A sum of money equal in value to the following,
for which the United States will seek entry as a forfeiture money judgment against a convicted
defendant as part of that defendant's sentence in this case.

Any items that were uses in the activity would be seized as with all cases upon conviction.  The cars and house are for the money laundering charge.  However they have way more equipment at this point...wont miss it

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

A bloke does something for you and you disregard anything else he has done? Great logic.

What are you talking about you old turtle??  Im going to still post my opinion on the outcome regardless as to me not wanting them to go to prison which is becoming more likely given that you already have guilty pleas

[falco]

A bloke does something for you and you disregard anything else he has done? Great logic.

It's called gratitude and forgiveness.