10:06am: Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval

That’s a wrap; Vivek Shaw sentenced to federal prison

BECKLEY, W.Va. — A California man who rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous has been sentenced to spend the next seven years of his life in federal prison.

Vivek Shah, 26, was in Beckley federal court Wednesday after pleading guilty in May to eight counts of sending threatening communications in the mail across state lines. He tried to extort millions from millionaires like Raleigh County coal executive Chris Cline. Shah threatened to kill members of Cline’s family if he didn’t give him $13 million.

Vivek Shah liked to have his pictures taken with the big stars like Tom Cruise.

He did the same to movie producer Harvey Weinstein, Groupon co-founder Eric Lefkofsky and others. Shah wanted the money wired to offshore bank accounts.

Shah, who was trying to get an acting career jumpstarted, previously said he came up with the scheme to get attention. He was seeking a total of $120 million.

“Imagine how terrifying it would be to open the mail and find a threat to kill your spouse or your children,” U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said in a prepared release. “This defendant carried out a carefully planned scheme designed to frighten his victims out of more than $120 million. It was an extraordinarily brazen crime, and I’m pleased, for the victims’ sake, that we were able to put a stop to it so quickly.”

Goodwin said Shah went to great lengths to create false identities to make it difficult to find out his scheme.

U.S. District Judge Irene Berger told Shaw the 87 month (7 years, 3 months) sentence should send a message to those attempting similar schemes.

 





More News

News
MetroNews This Morning 3-29-24
Summary of West Virginia news, sports, and weather for Friday, March 29, 2024
March 29, 2024 - 6:24 am
News
Dunlow Volunteer Fire Department closes
The Dunlow VFD did not have a valid workers compensation insurance policy.
March 29, 2024 - 1:23 am
News
As Yeager Airport's Wildlife Patrol Dog turns 7, a new dog comes in to learn from him
The new Border Collie is getting acclimated and receiving training for his soon-to-be role.
March 28, 2024 - 6:30 pm
News
PEIA examines financial effects of new law meant to ensure local pharmacies get fair reimbursements
Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 453 into law this week.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm


Your Comments