Source: https://www.theblanchlawfirm.com/attorneys/elena-fast/
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 10:48:22+00:00

Document:
During her six years at the District Attorney’s Office, Elena investigated and prosecuted a wide array of crimes. She has tried dozens of cases to verdict, ranging from misdemeanors to violent felonies. Elena has presented over 200 cases to the Grand Jury for murder, assault, kidnapping, home invasion, pattern robberies and burglaries, grand larceny, narcotics and firearm possession. Elena frequently worked with the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on long-term investigations involving identity theft, schemes to defraud, bank fraud, insurance fraud and possession of forged instruments and forgery devices.
As a Brooklyn prosecutor, Elena prosecuted several high profile cases. Notably, Elena handled the double homicide prosecution of Nikolai Rakossi, the “Russian Rambo.” It was the first case in New York history to proceed to trial in the Russian Federation due to lack of extradition. Elena worked in conjunction with the Department of Justice, the Tula Region Prosecutors Office and other Russian authorities on the transfer of prosecution to Russia, Rakossi’s apprehension and subsequent trial in the City of Tula. Rakossi was found guilty and received the maximum sentence of 19 years in a Russian prison camp.
Elena attended the night division of New York Law School and participated in Moot Court. During law school, Elena worked as an investigator for the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration. During her tenure with the Department of Labor, Elena investigated fraud, theft, and mismanagement of employer-sponsored healthcare and pension plans. Prior to law school, Elena worked in financial roles at Vicis Capital UK and State Street Global Advisors.
Elena graduated first in her class from the College of Management at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She completed part of her undergraduate coursework at Said Business School at the University of Oxford. Elena is fluent in Russian.
Elena is admitted to practice before the State Bar of New York, the State Bar of New Jersey, Supreme Court of the United States, and United States District Courts: The Southern District of New York, The Eastern District of New York, The Western District of New York, and The District of New Jersey. Elena is a member of The First Decade Committee of the Federal Bar Council.
USA v. KJ (SDNY) – Client charged with conspiracy to distribute 50 to 150 kgs of cocaine. Sentencing guidelines put client at 87 to 108 months imprisonment. After Elena’s sentencing arguments, client was sentenced to weekly counseling without any jail time.
USA v. JM (SDNY) – Client was a physician accused of running an oxycodone pill mill. After a two year case, client pled guilty to issuing a prescription outside the regular course of medical practice, a misdemeanor, and was sentenced to three years probation. A misdemeanor plea gave the client an opportunity to maintain his medical license.
USA v. MAB (SDNY) – Client was charged with a conspiracy to distribute hundreds of pounds of K2, synthetic cannabis, that may have resulted in a number of fatalities. Although the Client had lifetime Sentencing Guidelines, Elena obtained a plea for conspiracy to distribute a misbranded substance, resulting in a 60 month sentence.
People v. PD (New York County) – Domestic violence assault matter. Case dismissed after meeting with the DA.
People v. LC (New York County) – Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Case dismissed within a month after the Blanch Law Firm obtained exculpatory video surveillance.
People v. DF (New York County) – Client was charged with criminal possession of a Firearm. Case dismissed before Grand Jury after The Blanch Law Firm and Client met with the DA.
People v. AM (New York County) – The Blanch Law Firm represented a client at an administrative hearing regarding misuse of approximately $20,000 of healthcare benefits. No charges brought by the New York County District Attorney’s Office.
Elena was named Top 40 under 40 in Criminal Law by the National Trial Lawyers.
Received the Client’s Choice Award from Avvo in 2018.
Elena has been featured as a legal commentator in local, national and international media outlets, including ABC, Forbes Magazine, RT TV, Channel 11 News, Westfair Online, and News 24.

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