Oct 28, 2009 11:45 pm US/Eastern
Alleged L.I. Adoption Scam Reaches Across 5 States
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBS) ―
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Kevin Cohen, 41, is accused of being behind an adoption scam that promised children who never existed to prospective parents.
CBS
Prosecutors call him a clever, sweet-talking Long Island lawyer who crushed the hopes of vulnerable couples in an adoption scandal.
Now, prosecutors have unsealed a chilling indictment in the case.
Roslyn attorney Kevin Cohen remained mum Wednesday about his alleged adoption scam, which prosecutors said has grown to 13 heartbroken families from five states.
Deborah Josephs of Port Washington said she and her husband, seeking to adopt, paid Cohen $65,000.
"It's that there's no baby, there's still no baby," she said. "It was a lot of money, don't get me wrong, but you cant put a price tag on a child. That's not what it's about."
The Vogts of Seaford were emotional as they scanned the 69-count indictment against Cohen. They had taken out a $22,000 loan for a baby that didn't exist.
"Hearing my wife cry every night trying to deal with all the issues going on - the financial thing is going to hurt us but it's not going to kill us. It is the emotional scars we have to deal with," said Benjamin Vogt.
Prosecutors said Cohen duped families with fake sonograms, bogus pre-natal medical reports, and phony photos of pregnant young women in college, all non existent.
"We were ecstatic when I saw that baby. I was in love with that baby, and I felt like an idiot when I found out it was a hoax," said Brigid Vogt.
Cohen, now in custody under suicide watch, owns a home in Roslyn. More than $300,000 allegedly was wired into his bank account from victimized couples to be held in escrow for medical costs of the fictitious births.
"I can't tell you how many times I've kissed this picture and I feel so silly now. We thought this was going to be our baby," said Brigid Vogt.
"He never delivered one baby to any of these families. All they wanted was to provide a home to a child. And they were led to believe, led on and on and on, in an evil cold-hearted way," said Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice.
Cohen, who claims himself to have been adopted, pleaded not guilty. His attorney said it was premature to comment on the case.
Prosecutors have frozen Cohen's bank account and are seeking full restitution for the alleged victims.
Prosecutors said Cohen founded the "Adoption Annex" in Roslyn in 2004 but no families ever received a child.
Adoption Annex is now closed.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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