Brooklyn Defender Services has taken over Queens Defenders and its $32M contract after its former director was charged in a fraud case.

Many low-income criminal defendants in Queens who need a free attorney will now be represented by a public defender ...

Brooklyn Defender Services replaces Queens Defenders on a $34 million contract after its founders plead not guilty to fraud charges.

Former Queens Defenders chief Lori Zeno pleaded not guilty to fraud after allegedly misusing nonprofit funds for luxury expenses.

Jun. 20, 2025 By Bill Parry The founder of the Queens Defenders and her husband have lawyered up after they were indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars ...

Jun. 20, 2025 By Bill Parry The founder of the Queens Defenders and her husband have lawyered up after they were indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars ...

The government did not seek to detain Lori Zeno, who presented a $500,000 bond package secured by her son, older sister and brother-in-law.

Lori Zeno and her husband are accused of spending at least $60,000 of the organization's funding on personal expenses.

Former Queens Defenders Executive Director and founder Lori Zeno appeared in court in Brooklyn on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to fraud charges.