A Brooklyn man has admitted to entering a competitor's laboratory under false pretenses, subsequently destroying and stealing equipment. U.S. Attorney John Giordano announced that Eric Leykin, 33, pleaded guilty to wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court.
Court documents reveal that Leykin was the CEO of a New Jersey-based clinical reference laboratory competing with another similar business in the state. On June 30, 2022, Leykin purchased a prepaid mobile phone and contacted an employee of the rival lab, pretending to be a technician from their equipment service vendor. Under this guise, he arranged a visit to the lab for July 1, 2022.
On the day of the appointment, Leykin entered the premises posing as a vendor technician and proceeded to destroy significant amounts of laboratory and computer equipment. He also stole several hard drives from within the victim's equipment.
The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 or twice the financial gain or loss resulting from the crime. Sentencing is set for July 22, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Giordano credited special agents of the FBI in Newark for their investigation leading to Leykin's guilty plea. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and Millburn Police Department were also acknowledged for their assistance.
The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Trombly and Chana Y. Zuckier.
Defense counsel includes Albert Dayan, Esq.; Robert DeGroot, Esq.; Oleg Nekritin, Esq.
