EB-5 Fraud Suit Tied To Failed Hotel Sees Key Settlement
A Florida federal judge has approved a settlement between a group of Chinese investors and a man they say aided a fraud scheme that duped
April 1, 2021
Steffani M. Russo is an associate at Zebersky Payne Shaw Lewenz, LLP. She focuses her practice in the areas of complex commercial litigation, healthcare payor/provider litigation, and personal injury litigation.
Steffani is also an integral part of the firm’s Trial Team and was featured in the Daily Business Review alongside firm partner Edward H. Zebersky, after obtaining a five million dollar wrongful-death jury verdict in 2018. She was also a member of the Trial Team, along with firm partner Jordan A. Shaw, which was recognized by “Top Verdict” for obtaining Florida’s largest securities-fraud jury verdict in 2017.
Prior to joining Zebersky Payne Shaw Lewenz, LLP, Ms. Russo worked as a CLI with the Broward County Public Defender’s Office, where she represented clients in criminal pretrial proceedings and trial. Ms. Russo attended Nova Southeastern University for both her undergraduate education and law school, where she was involved with the NSU criminal justice clinic and won the schools pro-bono award.
AWARDS
Chair’s Choice Pro Bono Service Award, Florida Bar (2004)
Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend (2008)
Legislative Leadership “Shoe Leather Award”, AFTL (1999, 2001 and 2003)
Top Attorneys in Florida, The Wall Street Journal (June, 2011)
Top Florida Attorneys, Florida Trend (July, 2008)
Top Lawyers, South Florida Legal Guide (2004)
Who’s Who in American Law
SuperLawyers 2020
Lawyer to Legacy 2013 EAGLE Legend Award (FJA)
Wiedemann & Wysocki Award 2013 (AAJ)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Broward County Bar Association
Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division
America Bar Association
BAR ADMISSIONS
Florida State Courts
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
EDUCATION
Nova Southeastern University – Shepard Broad College of Law, J.D.
- Book Award for Highest Grade in Juvenile Law
- Pro Bono Honors Program, Gold Award Recipient
- CLI, Broward County Public Defender’s Office
Nova Southeastern University, B.S. Criminal Justice
IN THE PRESS
Alleged Co-Conspirator Cuts Deal In EB-5 Fla. Hotel Fraud Suit
Chinese investors have convinced an alleged co-conspirator to help them pursue EB-5 fraud claims against the builders of a since-shuttered Miami hotel in exchange for
March 22, 2021
PNC Bank Settles With EB-5 Investors In Fla. Hotel Fraud Suit
PNC Bank has reached a settlement with a group of Chinese investors who claimed it conspired with a developer to defraud them of millions of
December 7, 2020
PNC, Fla. Hotel Developers Seek Exit From EB-5 Fraud Suit
PNC Bank and developers of a now-shuttered Miami Beach hotel asked a judge on Wednesday to let them out of a fraud suit by Chinese
June 17, 2020
Investors Say Hotel Developers Can’t Shake EB-5 Fraud Suit
Chinese investors claiming they were duped into sinking $500,000 apiece into a Florida hotel development project through the EB-5 visa program said the companies behind
February 7, 2020
Investors Say PNC Was ‘Intimately Involved’ In EB-5 Fraud
A group of Chinese investors asked a Florida federal judge on Wednesday not to let PNC Bank walk away from a lawsuit accusing it of
January 16, 2020
Developers Want Out Of EB-5 Fraud Claims Over Fla. Hotel
A group of companies behind a Miami hotel project urged a Florida federal judge Thursday to shield them from allegations that they helped scam Chinese
January 2, 2020
‘What Happened Was So Wrong’: Broward Lawyers Win $5M For Family of Woman Killed by Police Patrol Car
If speeding Okeechobee Deputy Sheriff Joseph Gracie would have used his lights and sirens in response to an emergency call, 21-year-old Hilda Medrano would not
September 17, 2019
Zebersky Payne Shaw Lewenz, LLP Trial Lawyers
Fort Lauderdale Office
110 Southeast 6th Street
Suite 2900
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301, USA
Miami Office
19501 NE 10th Ave.
Suite 306
North Miami Beach, FL 33179, USA
Fort Lauderdale Office
110 Southeast 6th Street
Suite 2900
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301, USA
Miami Office
19501 NE 10th Ave.
Suite 306
North Miami Beach, FL 33179, USA
(954) 989-7781
(954) 989-6333
Hablamos Español and Nós Falamos Portugues
