A Charedi man has been sentenced to more than nine years in prison after being convicted of benefit fraud, theft and laundering proceeds more than £10 million from the illegal sale of medication.
Edward Cohen, 67, funnelled “huge sums of money” - from sales and charitable donations - through an international network of firms, bank accounts and currency exchanges.
Southwark Crown Court heard that the medication sold included Viagra, slimming pills and prescription medication.
Edward Cohen was convicted of benefit fraud in a previous trial in early April but fled the country ahead of the start of the second trial. He was tried and convicted in his absence.
He was given concurrent prison sentences of 15 months for supplying false information to the Charity Commission, seven and a half years for money laundering, three years for acquiring criminal property and three and a half years for theft.
He was also sentenced to two years and three months for the previous conviction of benefit fraud – to run consecutively to a total nine years and nine months.
Judge Michael Hopmeier called the offence “money laundering on an industrial scale”, saying Edward Cohen’s role was “critical and pivotal”.
He added: “As the evidence shows, between 2011 and 2014 Edward Cohen – through his own web of companies and charities – facilitated the laundering proceeds which amounted to £10 million.
“That money was then channelled and dispersed through a multitude of shell companies in different countries.
“A particular aggravating factor is the evidence that donors made substantial donations to charities over the years. No doubt they they expected the donations to be put to use for charitable or proper purposes. He stole the money.
“The illegal sale of medications can have a serious impact. In this country, medicine is strictly controlled to ensure any medications sold are safe.
"Selling prescription-only medication, or unauthorised medication or counterfeit medication is plainly a potential health hazard.
“The jury’s verdicts make clear they have found him to be a thoroughly dishonest, devious and manipulative person.”
The judge also praised the investigators, saying it was a “meticulous investigation… which took a lot of care”.
Edward Cohen’s son David, a 38-year-old teacher, was cleared of money laundering charges and supplying false information to the Charity Commission.
But he was convicted of providing false information for the purposes of obtaining benefits, and was given a six-month prison sentence – suspended for 18 months – on Thursday and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work over 12 months.
He wept as he was sentenced.
Judge Hopmeier said: “You have lost your good name and brought shame to your family and community.”
A confiscation hearing will take place on January 3, 2020.
