Bronxville Man Admits Submitting Fake Bank Records During Bankruptcy

BRONXVILLE, NY — A Bronxville man admitted submitting fake bank records to keep from losing his assets during bankruptcy proceedings.

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said Tuesday that John Roesser, 52, of Bronxville, pleaded guilty to one count of false oaths and claims in bankruptcy.

“The United States bankruptcy system does immense public good and provides a backstop for people trying to lawfully navigate their way out of debt,” Williams said.

“The defendant — who used to be a lawyer and knew exactly what he was doing — manipulated and corrupted a system that helps so many,” he said.

Williams said Roesser lied to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York so he could use its protections to keep his assets and to avoid paying his bills.

Prosecutors said, after a lucrative career with three multinational law firms, Roesser filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in February 2022 and claimed he wanted to be a debtor-in-possession which would allow him to keep possession and control of his assets during the bankruptcy, including his house in Bronxville.

For the next half dozen months, prosecutors said Roesser lied about income and commissions to the government and provided fake documentation.

In March, the bankruptcy was dismissed and creditors were able to seize his assets to pay his debts.

The false oaths and claims in bankruptcy charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.