New York City Sued Law Firm for Racketeering
The city alleges Asher & Associates orchestrated a scheme involving fraudulent personal injury claims.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Financial Crime
Live Poll
Do you trust the civil justice system to effectively detect and punish fraudulent legal claims?
New York City has filed a federal racketeering lawsuit against the law firm Asher & Associates, alleging the firm fabricated accident claims to secure millions in damages. The complaint claims the firm staged injury reports involving scooters, bicycles, and mopeds over the past decade.
Why it matters
The lawsuit, filed under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, aims to curb fraudulent litigation that drains taxpayer funds through fabricated injury claims. City officials contend that the firm repeatedly sought settlements based on nonexistent roadway defects.
The lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of New York and includes 15 documented cases and nine unnamed John Doe defendants. The firm allegedly sought tens of millions of dollars in damages over the last decade.
The players
Asher & Associates
This is a Manhattan-based law firm that is the primary defendant in the city's racketeering lawsuit.
Ryan and Roberta Asher
They are the owners of the law firm Asher & Associates and are named as individual defendants in the federal complaint.
The details
The city alleges that Asher & Associates utilized runners to solicit clients and litigation funders to bankroll their lawsuits, often abandoning cases when confronted with contradictory evidence. The complaint documents incidents where the firm attributed injuries to roadway defects that did not actually exist.
Timeline
The lawsuit was filed in federal court on October 4, 2026.
The firm allegedly sought fraudulent damages over the past decade.
Legal Context
The city is utilizing the New York State False Claims Act to challenge patterns of litigation that drain municipal coffers. This filing mirrors broader efforts by local jurisdictions to target professional entities that allegedly exploit public compensation systems for private gain.
The lawsuit targets the misuse of taxpayer funds, potentially impacting how the city processes and settles future personal injury claims. Residents and businesses may see stricter scrutiny of accident reports as the city attempts to eliminate fraudulent financial drains.
The takeaway
This case highlights the city's aggressive strategy to recover millions in taxpayer money from firms engaged in systemic litigation abuse. It serves as a reminder that legal claims involving municipal infrastructure are subject to intense verification and potential federal prosecution.
Further reading
For more information on local enforcement, visit the Financial Crime section.
Live Poll
Do you trust the civil justice system to effectively detect and punish fraudulent legal claims?
