NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – A movement filed in legal courtroom Thursday (Dec. 4) accuses New Orleans protection lawyer Tanzanika Ruffin of defrauding her consumer and his household out of at the least $250,000.
The funds despatched by a New York household to Ruffin included $66,000 in April, almost $13,000 in June, $90,000 in September and greater than $100,000 in October.
“You’re taking a look at a large sum of cash,” stated Rafael Goyeneche, Metropolitan Crime Fee president.
Allegations in Hansen case
In a movement to make clear a plea deal in defendant Kai Hansen’s case, prosecutors with the Orleans Parish District Lawyer’s Workplace allege Ruffin defrauded Hansen’s household and that the funds they despatched have been for authorized issues that didn’t exist.
“There most likely is just not a larger violation of that belief than attorney-client privilege,” Goyeneche stated.
Hansen allegedly battered a police officer on Bourbon Road in March. He was arrested, and his household contracted Ruffin. Within the Justice of the Peace courtroom, Hansen’s bond was set at $8,000, however Ruffin requested for $66,000 in bond cash after which obtained a further $12,500 for what she referred to as an added legal cost. The District Lawyer’s Workplace stated in its movement that the defendant was by no means confronted with that cost.
“If these allegations are right, it’s a humiliation for the whole career,” stated FOX 8 authorized analyst Joe Raspanti.
Fabricated settlement claims
Hansen’s household alleges in courtroom data that Ruffin stated $250,000 in restitution could be required to settle his case, an element the District Lawyer’s Workplace says was by no means mentioned.
When the household requested Ruffin to make clear, she stated the quantity was as an alternative a settlement, which prosecutors say of their movement Ruffin fabricated.
“That’s one thing that offers the authorized career a black eye,” Goyeneche stated.
Earlier disciplinary motion
Goyeneche says his workplace investigated Ruffin earlier than. He pointed to a 2004 case during which Ruffin couldn’t observe legislation for 30 days, and the District Lawyer’s Workplace fired her after the bar affiliation discovered she threatened to arrest somebody for not paying a handyman for his unfinished job.
“Now, we’re in 2025, and we’re taking a look at her allegedly defrauding her consumer out of over $250,000… that’s surprising,” Goyeneche stated.
Raspanti says Ruffin can count on penalties.
“Now, I feel she ought to be involved about legal expenses and Louisiana state bar disciplinary expenses from them. She’s bought numerous issues if that is right,” Raspanti stated.
Ruffin and her representatives declined to touch upon the allegations in opposition to her.
See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Click on Right here to report it. Please embody the headline.
Subscribe to the Fox 8 YouTube channel.
Copyright 2025 WVUE. All rights reserved.
Leave a Reply