Thusfar bossman Melvyn Weiss has bee in the clear of the government's investigation of alleged illegal kickbacks made by Milberg Weiss to individuals in exchange for their re-occuring role as lead plaintiffs in the firm's securities class actions. Both Weiss and former partner Bill Lerach had reportedly been told by feds that neither was in the crosshairs of the ongoing investigation. Recent reports would indicate that the situation has changed.

The National Law Journal is reporting that in a 2003 meeting with Denver lawyer was Gary Lozow, of Isaacson Rosenbaum, Melvyn Weiss offered Lozow agreed that a percentage of attorney fees in two cases would find their way to Howard Vogel, a figure well known to those who have been following the kickback investigation. Lozow is currently cooperating with prosecutors and provides what investigators have long sought, a potential direct link between Weiss and the alleged kickbacks.

-- MDT

Labels: Gary Weiss, Howard Vogel, Melvyn Weiss, Milberg Weiss