Prosecutors say Andrea Sneiderman made millions after her husband's murder and now they're trying to take that money away.
The DeKalb County District Attorney's Office filed a civil lawsuit on Friday, intending to cut Sneiderman off from her fortune. Court documents state that four of Sneiderman's bank accounts total $2.3 million.
The civil lawsuit argues that since Sneiderman is charged with helping plan her husband, rusty's murder, she should not be able to keep the millions that his death brought her.
"You're allowed to go after someone civilly for any monies or property that is [obtained] as a result of illegal activity," said attorney Brandon Lewis, who is not connected with the case.
Andrea Sneiderman was charged last week on eight counts, including malice murder and criminal attempt to commit murder in the death of her husband, Rusty Sneiderman. Andrea's former boss, Hemy Neuman, was convicted earlier this year of murdering Rusty Sneiderman in November 2010. Neuman is serving a life sentence.
In February 2011, three months after Rusty Sneiderman's murder, a life insurance policy paid Andrea more than $2 million.
Combined with his savings, the district attorney says Andrea's total financial benefit surrounding the murder was more than $2.5 million.
"And so if the state were to receive that money, logistically speaking, that money would then be transferred to the correct party," said Lewis.
The Sneiderman children could receive the funds.
Lewis says it's unlikely the civil court judge will decide who gets the money before Sneiderman's criminal case is complete, but that doesn't mean she will have access to it until then.
"More likely than not, what will happen is the judge will probably make a preliminary hearing and the funds will be frozen," said Lewis.
That would mean Sneiderman would not have the money to pay for her criminal defense.
Lewis says that because the burden of proof is so different between criminal and civil cases, it's possible for Sneiderman to be found not guilty of murder but still lose her fortune because a civil court judge finds her responsible for her husband's death.
Thursday, February 21 2013 8:08 PM EST2013-02-22 01:08:42 GMT
Court documents show that Andrea Sneiderman is thinking about a movie. On Thursday, her attorney asked the judge that she be allowed to have some companionship.
Court documents show that Andrea Sneiderman is thinking about a movie. On Thursday, her attorney asked the judge that she be allowed to have some companionship.
Thursday, August 2 2012 6:11 PM EDT2012-08-02 22:11:34 GMT
Attorneys for Andrea Sneiderman are upset over the way her arrest was handled on Thursday. They said it was over the top and unnecessary because they had volunteered to have her turn herself in.
Attorneys for Andrea Sneiderman are upset over the way her arrest was handled on Thursday. They said it was over the top and unnecessary because they had volunteered to have her turn herself in.
The father of murder victim Rusty Sneiderman took the stand in the murder trial of Hemy Neuman, accused of gunning down Rusty Sneiderman as he was dropping off his young son at a Dunwoody childcare center in November 2010.
The father of murder victim Rusty Sneiderman took the stand in the murder trial of Hemy Neuman, accused of gunning down Rusty Sneiderman as he was dropping off his young son at a Dunwoody childcare center in November 2010.
The widow of the man killed while dropping of his son at a Dunwoody childcare center took the stand for the second day in the murder trial of Hemy Neuman. Neuman is accused of killing Rusty Sneiderman outside the center in...
The widow of the man killed while dropping of his son at a Dunwoody childcare center took the stand for the second day in the murder trial of Hemy Neuman. Neuman is accused of killing Rusty Sneiderman outside the center in...
A Georgia murder suspect's defense attorneys want jurors for his trial to be sequestered. Hemy Neuman's attorneys are asking a judge Thursday to sequester the 12 women and four men selected on Thursday so they can be...
A Georgia murder suspect's defense attorneys want jurors for his trial to be sequestered. Hemy Neuman's attorneys are asking a judge Thursday to sequester the 12 women and four men selected on Thursday so they can be...
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:03 PM EDT2013-05-25 21:03:38 GMT
Three people remain at an Atlanta hospital a day after they were injured aboard a hotel shuttle bus that crashed with a tractor-trailer near the city's airport.
Three people remain at an Atlanta hospital a day after they were injured aboard a hotel shuttle bus that crashed with a tractor-trailer near the city's airport.
Saturday, May 25 2013 4:19 PM EDT2013-05-25 20:19:38 GMT
Georgia stands to lose $1.8 million in funding because state officials refuse to participate in a federal survey that asks high school and middle school students about their sexual history.
Georgia stands to lose $1.8 million in funding because state officials refuse to participate in a federal survey that asks high school and middle school students about their sexual history.
Sunday, May 26 2013 12:01 AM EDT2013-05-26 04:01:47 GMT
Suffolk County police arrested a man who was driving drunk with his daughter in the car after he caused a three-car crash on Long Island Friday afternoon.
Suffolk County police arrested a man who was driving drunk with his daughter in the car after he caused a three-car crash on Long Island Friday afternoon.
Sunday, May 26 2013 12:00 AM EDT2013-05-26 04:00:59 GMT
While some business may be have been dismal at the beaches, a lot of people who needed to venture out and keep busy Saturday found things to do – and stay dry.
While some business may be have been dismal at the beaches, a lot of people who needed to venture out and keep busy Saturday found things to do – and stay dry.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:52 PM EDT2013-05-26 02:52:40 GMT
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel congratulated the cadets at West Point's commencement ceremony Saturday, but warned them they have a tough road ahead. He praised how far the military has come
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel congratulated the cadets at West Point's commencement ceremony Saturday, but warned them they have a tough road ahead. He praised how far the military has come
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:27 PM EDT2013-05-26 02:27:43 GMT
New Yorkers that have visited City Island in the summer know it gets really busy, especially on Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, it was pretty much a ghost town thanks to the cold, rainy weather.
New Yorkers that have visited City Island in the summer know it gets really busy, especially on Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, it was pretty much a ghost town thanks to the cold, rainy weather.
Saturday, May 25 2013 9:26 PM EDT2013-05-26 01:26:30 GMT
New Yorkers know that finding street parking is not easy. Drivers can circle for a minute or even an hour – and even then you still may not find that parking spot.
New Yorkers know that finding street parking is not easy. Drivers can circle for a minute or even an hour – and even then you still may not find that parking spot.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:49 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:49:32 GMT
AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.42, up 3 cents from last week. But that's still lower than the price from a year ago
AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.42, up 3 cents from last week. But that's still lower than the price from a year ago
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:47 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:47:11 GMT
Internal Affairs officers on Saturday were looking into allegations made by actress Amanda Bynes that NYPD officers sexually assaulted her when she was charged with heaving a marijuana bong out the window
Internal Affairs officers on Saturday were looking into allegations made by actress Amanda Bynes that NYPD officers sexually assaulted her when she was charged with heaving a marijuana bong out the window
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:52 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:52:40 GMT
It once was an accepted tactic as old as policing itself and, according to the NYPD, a key to the city's dramatic drop in crime: patrol officers stopping young men on the street to see if they're up to no good.
It once was an accepted tactic as old as policing itself and, according to the NYPD, a key to the city's dramatic drop in crime: patrol officers stopping young men on the street to see if they're up to no good.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:36 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:36:58 GMT
Members of the American Legion Post 1 honored their own this Memorial Day. The veterans association decorated the graves of veterans at the Cemetery of the Madonna in Leonia Saturday morning.
Members of the American Legion Post 1 honored their own this Memorial Day. The veterans association decorated the graves of veterans at the Cemetery of the Madonna in Leonia Saturday morning.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:25:11 GMT
Authorities are investigating the death of a 4-week old baby in the Bronx Saturday morning. Police say they were contacted by officials from North Central Bronx Hospital around 9:50 a.m.
Authorities are investigating the death of a 4-week old baby in the Bronx Saturday morning. Police say they were contacted by officials from North Central Bronx Hospital around 9:50 a.m.
