Rashad Ruhani

Rashad Ruhani is a former staffer at the legal nonprofit Queens Defenders who pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud on April 16, 2026, for his role in embezzling at least $400,000 from the organization. Working with then-executive director Lori Zeno, Ruhani misappropriated nonprofit funds between June 2024 and January 2025 to finance a lavish lifestyle. Specific misconduct included using corporate credit cards for a $10,000 honeymoon in Bali, designer shopping sprees, high-end dining, luxury vehicle repairs, and an 85-inch television. Additionally, Ruhani submitted over $39,000 in fraudulent reimbursement requests for an Astoria penthouse apartment by falsely claiming it served as housing for a homeless minor and client defense space. Ruhani was arrested in June 2025 and is scheduled for sentencing on July 14, 2026. He faces between four and six years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Prosecutors dropped charges of theft, money laundering, obstruction of justice, and concealment of evidence as part of his plea deal. Prior to his employment at Queens Defenders, Ruhani served a 26-year prison sentence for a 1996 robbery.