Behind Chamber Doors

Summary

48 Hours: Behind Chamber Doors – Detailed Summary

Episode Release Date: June 5, 2025
Host/Author: CBS News

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Introduction: Unveiling Courtroom Corruption

The "Behind Chamber Doors" episode of 48 Hours delves deep into a harrowing tale of corruption within the Brooklyn District Attorney's court system. This investigative journey centers around Frida Hannemoff, a courageous mother and nurse, who takes extraordinary measures to expose a corrupt Supreme Court judge threatening her family's well-being.

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Frida Hannemoff: A Mother's Desperation

Frida Hannemoff's story begins with her personal struggles. After thirteen years of marriage, her husband Yuri's failing diamond business forces them to sell their dream home and move to a modest Brooklyn apartment. Frida recounts the deterioration of her marriage:

[05:22] Frida Hannemoff: "I love this house very much. I walked all my life just to get to this house. And boom. One day."

Yuri announces a fake divorce to conceal their assets, handing Frida supposedly valuable diamonds worth over $6 million. However, these turn out to be mere imitations. Frida unknowingly signs separation papers relinquishing her rights to her husband's assets. Feeling betrayed and powerless, she faces the impending loss of her children.

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Allegations Against Judge Gerald Garson

Determined to prevent losing her children, Frida alleges that Judge Gerald Garson has fixed her divorce case. She voices her suspicions:

[01:49] Frida Hannemoff: "I felt something is wrong, but I couldn't prove it. I just couldn't prove it. I said, what kind of America is this?"

Her confrontation in the courtroom leaves her intimidated:

[07:09] Frida Hannemoff: "Yeah. And the judge tells me that I better settle this case and I don't have any chances. And he told me that if I'm not gonna settle that I'm gonna be end up in jail."

Faced with threats of incarceration if she doesn't comply, Frida realizes the severity of the corruption at play.

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Frida's Undercover Mission

In a bold move to uncover the truth, Frida undertakes an undercover operation. She meets Neesom Elman, a businessman claiming to have influence over Judge Garson. Their clandestine meetings take place in a secluded Brooklyn warehouse, where Frida records conversations using hidden devices.

[14:33] Narrator: "Frida Hannemoff: She was a tiger. She was protecting her cubs."

During these encounters, Elman boasts about his ability to manipulate court decisions through Judge Garson's corruption:

[16:00] Elman: "You're losing because your husband paid off the judge."

Frida hands over $9,000 to secure custody of her younger children, believing Elman's assurances that the judge's influence will favor her.

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Investigation and Gathering Evidence

Detectives Jeanette Spordoni and George Terra, under the guidance of Assistant District Attorney Brian Wallace and Prosecutor Noel Downing, meticulously piece together the web of corruption. Their efforts lead to the installation of a covert camera in Judge Garson's chambers, providing irrefutable evidence of illicit activities.

[22:07] Narrator: "He spent over ten grand on Judge Garson's stomach."

The surveillance reveals Judge Garson's inappropriate interactions with lawyer Paul Simonowski, including accepting bribes and coaching him on manipulating case outcomes.

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The Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Armed with concrete evidence, the DA's office moves swiftly. Judge Garson is arrested and charged with receiving bribes, facing up to seven years in prison. The investigation also implicates Neesom Elman and other court officials:

[33:36] Michael Vecchione: "They arrested Neesom Elman and also retired court clerk Paul Sarnell and Judge Garson's court officer Louis Salerno."

Despite attempts by Judge Garson's attorney to dismiss the charges, the overwhelming evidence ensures a conviction. Frida's relentless pursuit not only secures justice for herself but also brings to light systemic issues within the judiciary.

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Aftermath: Restoring Custody and Inspiring Change

Nearly two years after the arrest, Frida triumphantly regains custody of her eldest son, Yanif, who finally acknowledges the manipulation he endured:

[41:20] Frida Hannemoff: "This is every mother's dream, you know, to have her kids back. This is a big win for me, a big win."

Her victory becomes a beacon of hope for other women facing similar injustices, earning her comparisons to Erin Brockovich. Frida continues to advocate for reform, assisting other mothers in navigating and combating court corruption.

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Impact and Legacy

The exposure of Judge Garson's corruption leads to significant reforms within New York's divorce courts. A new commission is established to overhaul how judges are selected and how custody cases are handled, ensuring greater transparency and fairness.

Frida's story not only highlights the personal toll of judicial corruption but also underscores the profound impact one individual's determination can have on systemic change. Her legacy serves as a testament to resilience and the pursuit of justice against formidable odds.

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Notable Quotes:

• Frida Hannemoff:
  [01:49] "I felt something is wrong, but I couldn't prove it."
  [07:09] "I'm gonna end up in jail."
  [14:01] "The truth is, when I went inside, I didn't care about myself. This is the last chance I have to keep my kids."
  [41:42] "People start calling me, oh, I had the same story as you. I lost two kids."

• Michael Vecchione:
  [32:35] "Sources reveal that a Brooklyn State Supreme Court judge is under arrest on corruption charges."
  [44:23] "That my own acts and shortcomings have changed their lives forever."

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Conclusion: A Fight for Justice

"Behind Chamber Doors" is a compelling narrative of corruption, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Frida Hannemoff's journey from a desperate mother to a catalyst for judicial reform exemplifies the profound difference one person can make in uncovering and combating systemic wrongdoing. This episode of 48 Hours not only recounts a gripping true story but also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity within the legal system.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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[Frida Hannemoff]

Not sure where to start. Thumbtack knows homes, so you don't have to.

[Narrator]

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[Frida Hannemoff]

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[Narrator]

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[Frida Hannemoff]

You just have to hire one. You can hire top rated pros, see.

[Narrator]

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[Frida Hannemoff]

The app download today.

[Narrator]

What is Dadication? The thing that drives me every day.

[Frida Hannemoff]

As a dad is Dariana. We call them Daddy for short. Every day he's hungry for something, whether it's attention, affection, knowledge.

[Narrator]

And there's this huge responsibility in making.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Sure that when he's no longer under my wing that he's a good person. I want him to be able to sit back one day and go, we worked together.

[Narrator]

We did a good job. That's dedication. Find out [e-mail] brought to you by the U.S. department of Health and Human Services and the Ad Council. We're talking about corruption in the court system and the pawns that are being played with here at Children. The very fabric of the legal system is at stake here. There is a question. If I walk into a courtroom, am I getting a fair shot? Am I getting a fair shake? I'm Michael Vecchione, and I am the chief of the record division in the Brooklyn District Attorney's office. And I was in charge of the investigation begun by Frida Hannemoff, who started this by walking into our office and telling us that she was about to lose her children because a judge had been fixed.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I felt something is wrong, but I couldn't prove it. I just couldn't prove it. I said, what kind of America is this? I'm Frieda Hanimo. I went undercover for the district attorney office to nail a corrupt judge. I'm not a police officer. I'm not a detective. I'm a mother and a nurse. That's beautiful. I'll do anything, anything in the world to keep my kids. Even if I have to fight with a tiger, I'll do it.

[Narrator]

A Supreme Court judge being paid off, being bribed. You can't get much more serious than that. So he decided to put a recording device on her.

[Frida Hannemoff]

This is the neighborhood that we took Frida to. I'll meet them about five, six blocks away from the warehouse. We'd meet her, wire her up, talk to her prepper about what she's going to say when she goes in. When you get off from your car, you see this Big, huge warehouse.

[Narrator]

I mean, not a place that we were very happy about sending her into, but it was necessary. She was not the type of individual who you would normally put a recording device on. She was pregnant. And to have a pregnant woman who had no experience doing this, it was harrowing on us as well.

[Frida Hannemoff]

And this big steel gate will open up. My heart was really going fast. And then the bullet, they close it after me. I said, oh, my God. I have no way out, even if I want to run away.

[Narrator]

She could have been harmed. She could have been hurt. She could have been killed.

[Frida Hannemoff]

The truth is, when I went inside, I didn't care about myself. This is the last chance I have to keep my kids.

[Michael Vecchione]

Chamber of secrets.

[Frida Hannemoff]

And this is a big mahogany door that I bought.

[Michael Vecchione]

Welcome to Frida Hanimoff's American dream.

[Frida Hannemoff]

See when the skylights. Skylights we put in.

[Michael Vecchione]

This was once her big house in a swanky New York neighborhood.

[Frida Hannemoff]

It's all beautiful.

[Michael Vecchione]

It's a world away from the poverty where she grew up. Frida's parents fled Russia, emigrated to Israel. And at 19, Frida, a young nurse, made her way to America. Just a few weeks later, she met the man she would marry, Yuri Hamanoff. His business was diamonds. They would have three children, Yanif, Sharon and Nati. Life was good.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I love this house very much. I walked all my life just to get to this house. And boom. One day.

[Michael Vecchione]

After 13 years of marriage, Yuri announced to his wife that his business was failing. The dream house had to be sold and they would move to a small apartment in Brooklyn. Frieda says her husband told her they had to pretend to divorce. She claims it was part of a scheme to hide their assets.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Then he even gave me diamonds that. He told me that it's worth over $6 million.

[Michael Vecchione]

Oh, look at that.

[Frida Hannemoff]

They shine.

[Michael Vecchione]

Oh, they do. They're gorgeous.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Yes.

[Michael Vecchione]

But one day, Yuri didn't come home.

[Frida Hannemoff]

He just disappeared with his clothes. Could not wish him nothing.

[Michael Vecchione]

And those diamonds, Zircon.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Yes.

[Michael Vecchione]

The diamonds were fake, but the separation papers Frieda signed were real. And she says she had unknowingly signed away her rights to any of her husband's assets.

[Frida Hannemoff]

This is a crime. What he did to me is a crime.

[Michael Vecchione]

She hired a lawyer to try to stop the divorce and pinned her hopes on the wisdom of a New York State Supreme Court justice, Judge Gerald Garson.

[Frida Hannemoff]

He will see that this is a setup. A woman that's married to a husband who's a wealthy husband, a mother of three kids, will get her rights.

[Michael Vecchione]

But when she Walked into his court, her hopes were shattered.

[Frida Hannemoff]

He threatens and he yells, Judge Garson.

[Michael Vecchione]

Is screaming at you.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Yeah. And the judge tells me that I better settle this case and I don't have any chances. And he told me that if I'm not gonna settle that I'm gonna be end up in jail.

[Michael Vecchione]

The judge chastised her for renting an apartment she co owned with her husband without his permission. He said you'd end up in jail.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I'm gonna end up in jail.

[Michael Vecchione]

So stunned by the judge's, Frida says she saw no choice but to agree to the divorce.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Did you take your tablet this morning?

[Michael Vecchione]

Yeah.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I said, the hell with money, I'm a nurse, I'll make it. How was school today? As long as I have my kids, I just continue with my life, you know, it's not the end.

[Michael Vecchione]

Sure enough, two years later, Freda fell in love. She got married and got pregnant. She says her ex got jealous.

[Frida Hannemoff]

He became very obsessed with me.

[Michael Vecchione]

Frida says her ex husband, Yuri began trying to convince the children they would have a better life with him. Her 13 year old son Yaniv liked the idea.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Look, mommy leaving this small apartment and she doesn't have any money and this and that. You're going to live like a millionaire with me.

[Michael Vecchione]

One night when Frieda had just come.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Home from work, my ex husband called the police on me. They knock on my door and he goes to me, your son said that you hit him with a bell.

[Michael Vecchione]

Yanif was standing outside with his father and told the police his mother had beaten him with a belt three days earlier.

[Frida Hannemoff]

My son had the mark on his face. He had a red mark. So the husband pointed at my son and said, you see? Do you see the red line? This is mommy hitting with the belt.

[Michael Vecchione]

How do you think he got that red mark?

[Frida Hannemoff]

The kids, they jump, they play basketball, they do things. I never hit my kids. Never ever. My kids are well, well dressed, very clean, honors in school. I'm proud to be their mother.

[Michael Vecchione]

Frieda was arrested.

[Frida Hannemoff]

They put cuffs on me and my son saw that and he went to the police and he said, no, no, let mommy go. It was misunderstanding. Then he went to my ex husband and started hitting him and saying, daddy, you lied to me. You lied to me. You said they're not going to hurt mommy. They put me in a cell with, I will say 30 to 50 people. Me shaking, pregnant, I'm scared, sitting and crying and can't believe that my son did this to me for no reason. I never hit my son.

[Michael Vecchione]

Then the news Got even worse for Freda. Her ex husband filed for custody. He wanted all the children. And the man deciding the fate of her family, none other than Judge Gerald Garson.

[Frida Hannemoff]

When Judge Garson called me to his chamber room, he asked me who I would want to live with. My mother, my father. So I told him my mother. I told him my mom. He just said, you never know what's gonna happen. It's up to me. He told me that he was an adult, he was the judge, and he decides whether I like it or not. So I thought, like, what's the point of me even coming to the chamber room to talk to the judge if he didn't even want to hear what I wanted to say? So I said, I'm not gonna sit and wait. I'm not gonna lose my kids.

[Michael Vecchione]

Freda was desperate and heard about a man who could help. A businessman who was boasting around town that he could influence the judge. His name, Neesom Elman.

[Frida Hannemoff]

And I said, let me call him. And he tells me that this judge is in his pocket, in Elman's pocket, in Ellman's packet.

[Michael Vecchione]

Freda says he told her he could prove it by dialing the judge himself. While listened in, Freda says she heard a man say that she was going to lose her children in 30 days. She hung up the phone, terrified.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Oh, my God, this judge is corrupted. I'm going to definitely lose my kids. I start crying, and I'm trying to dial back to him, and he's not picking up the phone.

[Michael Vecchione]

Frieda began calling every law enforcement agency she could think of.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I need action right now. I'm losing my kids. I called the district attorney office. She was in a pretty frantic state at the time.

[Michael Vecchione]

Kings County Assistant District Attorney Brian Wallace was the first investigator to take Frieda Hannomoff seriously.

[Frida Hannemoff]

There was a businessman named Nissim Elman who claimed that he had influence in Joan Jagarsen's part. Of course, my antennas went up.

[Narrator]

We're not talking about a traffic ticket here or someone jumping a turnstile. We're talking about corruption in the court system and the pawns that are being played with your children.

[Michael Vecchione]

Prosecutor Noel Downing was working with Brian Wallace in the rackets division. Michael Vecchione, their boss, knew that proving corruption in the courts would be difficult and explosive.

[Narrator]

We explained to her that we needed to, in essence, test her to see if what she was telling us was the truth.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Put wires on me. I'll prove you that this judge is corrupted.

[Narrator]

We couldn't cover her inside the warehouse. It's a rather stark and daunting place. It's kind of brick and closed up. So once Frieda went into that location, she was on her own. Now Streaming. Hi again, TV's quirkiest crime solver.

[Michael Vecchione]

I'm Elspeth Tasioni. I work with the police.

[Narrator]

It's on the case.

[Michael Vecchione]

I like my outlandish theories with a.

[Narrator]

Heavy dose of evidence and ready to go toe to toe with a cavalcade of guest stars. Are you saying that this is now a murder investigation?

[Michael Vecchione]

It's starting to look that way.

[Narrator]

Don't miss a moment of the critically acclaimed hit Elsbeth. All episodes now streaming on Paramount and return CBS fall.

[Michael Vecchione]

That sounds like fun.

[Narrator]

Obviously, murder's not fun. Her allegations were that a Supreme Court judge had been bribed. She was about to lose her children.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I don't care about myself anymore. I just want my kids back.

[Michael Vecchione]

Frieda Hannomoff, three months pregnant and on an undercover mission to expose corruption, headed to a warehouse in downtown Brooklyn to meet businessman Neesom Elman.

[Narrator]

See, we didn't really know what Neesom Elman was about. We didn't know what he was capable of. How's her demeanor?

[Michael Vecchione]

ADA Michael Vecchione assigned detectives Jeanette Spordoni and George Terra to Frida.

[Frida Hannemoff]

She was a tiger. She was protecting her cubs. This is a digital recording device. This is the device that we use to give to Frieda to have recorded conversations with Nissan Elman at his warehouse.

[Michael Vecchione]

As they wired her up. Their nerves were wound tight, too.

[Frida Hannemoff]

It was ballsy of her to go in there. We pulled up and we watched her go in. And we really didn't know what was going on inside that warehouse. You're walking, it's dark. You're listening to your step. Quiet, but you can hear echoes. I was scared, but I never show it. Like, you know my heart will go fast.

[Michael Vecchione]

Frida found Neeson Elman right here in his office.

[Frida Hannemoff]

He makes phone calls in front of my eyes to the court, asking, how's the judge?

[Michael Vecchione]

Their conversation was mostly in Hebrew. You have a problem. The problem you have. The situation can be saved. It's possible. Your husband paid money. A lot of money. And he has the upper hand. Like what he wants, he'll get. Okay. He also doesn't care about wasting the money because he knows that you don't have the money.

[Narrator]

And Ellman said you're losing because your husband paid off the judge.

[Michael Vecchione]

He is going to build a case against you that is even worse than you think. In order to take the children, Ellman tells Freda the judge is looking at papers submitted by her ex husband. If the judge signs that paper, your children. Forget about the children. They are taking your children away. Frida pleads with Ellman.

[Frida Hannemoff]

What do you want me to do? I am losing my children. Please, I'm begging you.

[Michael Vecchione]

Ellman shows Frieda his cell phone with Judge Garson's phone number on the screen.

[Frida Hannemoff]

If you are saying that Garson is corrupt, will he reverse everything for me?

[Michael Vecchione]

He will do everything for me. He will do everything for me. The problem is here, how much you can sacrifice. Elman, an electronics salesman, guarantees she'll win custody of her younger children, Sharon and Nadi. But it will cost her.

[Narrator]

Essentially what he's doing is he's bringing.

[Michael Vecchione]

In the clients, Prosecutor Noel Downey, and.

[Narrator]

He'S selling to them a product. And I'm not talking about a stereo here. The product that he's selling them is that I have. That being Nessa Melman. I have Judge Garson in my pocket. And if you come on board with me, you give me a certain amount of cash, I'll get it done for you.

[Michael Vecchione]

Two weeks later, wearing a wire again, Freda visits Elman to negotiate a price for her children. And the DA gave you the money.

[Frida Hannemoff]

To give all marked money, all mark.

[Michael Vecchione]

Money, to give Elman the price to keep custody of Sharon and Nadi. $9,000.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I want guarantee for the money.

[Michael Vecchione]

It is guaranteed by 1 million percent.

[Frida Hannemoff]

It's not 99% by a million percent.

[Michael Vecchione]

And Frida says it worked. Judge Garson had appointed this lawyer, Paul Siminofsky, to represent her children. And suddenly Siminofsky was treating Freda very differently. So you're giving Ellman money and you're seeing a result.

[Frida Hannemoff]

You're seeing the results. Okay, guys, ready? I felt like they're not talking anymore about my little kids because it's so obvious they're gonna be mine. In the beginning, I was so dangerous, remember? Now I'm a very good mother.

[Michael Vecchione]

Now you're a good mother.

[Frida Hannemoff]

And I get visitation for my oldest son.

[Narrator]

After six months, she saw such a difference of how people treated her from top down.

[Michael Vecchione]

So she gives Ellman the money and boom, everything changes.

[Narrator]

Simonowski, particularly, became a lot less strident in terms of his feelings towards her.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Siminowski, Good morning to me. All of a sudden, and the judge is going easy on me. I felt very.

[Narrator]

He's pouring over a lot of the transcripts.

[Michael Vecchione]

It was up to the DA now to figure out how an electronic salesman could possibly be influencing custody decisions.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Okay, okay.

[Michael Vecchione]

They put a tap on Elman's phone.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I want these people left and right.

[Michael Vecchione]

Just for him to come up with money on tape. He assures lawyer Paul Simonowski that he's working to get him money from various divorce litigants.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I don't give a about them. It's all business. And I want you to be as rich as he could. Sounds good.

[Michael Vecchione]

Simonowski brags about boozing it up with Judge Garson.

[Narrator]

I was getting Garson drunk for two hours.

[Frida Hannemoff]

He'll do what I want.

[Michael Vecchione]

Detectives begin tailing Simonowski. This is surveillance tape of him hugging Ellman.

[Narrator]

Simonowski and Ellman have a very tight relationship. Simonowski also has a very tight relationship with the judge.

[Michael Vecchione]

Investigators believe they had figured out the food chain, literally.

[Narrator]

This is the infamous Archives Bar. That's where. This is a bar Bar restaurant. Where Simonowski and the Judge would meet often for drinks and dinner. Where much of the money was spent on the judge.

[Frida Hannemoff]

They were very well known at the Archives. Cause they were there just about every afternoon. Very friendly, a lot of laughing. They were buddies.

[Narrator]

I'm talking about an attorney who would bring the judge out to lunch, to drinks, to dinners. Not once, but we're talking several hundred times.

[Michael Vecchione]

Makes no sense.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Polsa Banoski would pick up the tape. It was a given always.

[Narrator]

He spent over ten grand on Judge Garson's stomach.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Everybody knew they were buddies.

[Narrator]

People know that this lawyer is before this judge on a case. It's wrong, it's inappropriate, it's unethical.

[Michael Vecchione]

If this was what was going on in public, Authorities wanted to know what was happening behind closed doors. Were judicial decisions being bought? Officers from the District Attorney's office worked in the middle of the night, long after Judge Garson had left for the day. They searched his robing room, looking for a place to hide a camera. They found this hole in the ceiling. On a cold December night, detectives from the District Attorney's office made their way into this room, Judge Garson's chambers. A tiny camera placed in his ceiling.

[Narrator]

This actually is the camera that was planted.

[Michael Vecchione]

This is the camera?

[Narrator]

Yes.

[Michael Vecchione]

And it went through the ceiling wires going down?

[Narrator]

Yes. We had a microwave dish that would read the signals being sent back to our office. This was our plant. And this is where we had the recording devices that recorded the judge's chambers, both video and audio.

[Michael Vecchione]

And you were watching this in real time?

[Narrator]

Yes, we had people who were monitoring it all day long and into the evening.

[Michael Vecchione]

Just weeks after, Freda Hannemoff, terrified she was going to lose her children, started Working undercover to try to prove whether Judge Garson was taking payoffs, the district attorney began surveillance of the judge and his meetings with lawyer Paul Simonovsky.

[Frida Hannemoff]

What are you doing now? Maybe get some work.

[Narrator]

Simonowski kind of has the run of the room and I mean, nobody else really has this kind of access.

[Michael Vecchione]

He's totally at home.

[Narrator]

Oh, absolutely.

[Michael Vecchione]

Without question, absolutely.

[Narrator]

And he is not candid about reaching into to the candy dish at any time. Here you have this attorney, Simonowski, getting inappropriately cozy with a judge who he's appearing before that he has cases with.

[Michael Vecchione]

One of Siminowski's clients was this man, Avraham Levy, estranged husband of this mother of five. Segal Levy detectives secretly listened in as Judge Garson tells Simonowski that his client Avraham will win the family house.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I want him to.

[Michael Vecchione]

As for Segalevy, the bottom line is.

[Narrator]

She'Ll walk away with nothing. She's.

[Michael Vecchione]

You win, you're a good shame.

[Frida Hannemoff]

You're a winner either way, and your doesn't deserve it.

[Michael Vecchione]

You're right. At a later date, Judge Garson instructs Siminowski how to write a memo on the issue.

[Frida Hannemoff]

The only evidence of the case is during the course of the marriage.

[Michael Vecchione]

The judge is telling him what to say in court.

[Narrator]

And things like, that case was on trial, on trial that very week, that very day.

[Michael Vecchione]

Says, when you go back into court.

[Narrator]

Say this, argue A, argue B, you're going to win. The wife's not going to get anything. Don't worry about her. And says some pretty disturbing things about her on this videotape.

[Michael Vecchione]

According to investigators, the judge and the lawyer said things about other women, too.

[Narrator]

The way he spoke about women was really just beyond sexist. I think it borders on disturbing.

[Michael Vecchione]

Investigators say they heard Paul Simonowski tell Auman what Judge Garson said about Frieda.

[Narrator]

The judge was admiring her lips in a sexual way. Yes. And what she could do to him with those lips.

[Michael Vecchione]

Here she is pregnant, pleading for her children, and this judge is talking about her mouth in a sexual way.

[Narrator]

Yes.

[Michael Vecchione]

But the worst thing that was going on in Garson's chambers, according to investigators, were the kickbacks in the form of lucrative work.

[Narrator]

You see, Simonowski's assignment numbers almost triple.

[Michael Vecchione]

All that wining and dining of the judge paid off for Siminofsky, according to investigators, in a big way. If a child needed representation in a custody case, Judge Garson would assign Siminofsky as the law guardian, and the divorcing parents or the taxpayers would foot the bill, often tens of thousands of dollars.

[Narrator]

So here you have the judge getting filled at lunch with booze and food and, hey, thanks, Simonowski. Here's a guardianship for you.

[Michael Vecchione]

Judge Garson's behavior was especially appalling for Joe Hines, the district attorney in charge. For him, this investigation was personal.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I saw the way the courts treated my mother when she was being beaten up by my father. I have a very, very special interest in making damn sure that that kind of stuff doesn't. Frankly, I was shocked that it was going on at all. I thought that there had been significant changes in the way the courts had acted towards women litigants and their kids.

[Michael Vecchione]

The district attorney thought he had the goods on Siminofsky, but he wanted Judge Garson. He told his staff to offer Simonowski a deal and get him to flip. They would recommend Simonowski serve no prison time. It was an offer he couldn't refuse. Siminowski took the deal. He would wear a wire and go see the judge.

[Narrator]

We said, well, will he take a gift for the advice? And Siminovsky told us, absolutely. And we knew that he was a cigar smoker.

[Michael Vecchione]

The DA bought a $275 box of.

[Narrator]

Cigars one afternoon after Siminovsky went to lunch with the judge. And after he paid for the lunch again, he came back to the robing room and gave him the box of cigars and said, this is thanks for your help in the Levy case.

[Michael Vecchione]

Next, Simonowski brought cash, $1,000, a thank you for referring a case in another court to him.

[Narrator]

You'll see him reach into his pocket and he takes out $1,000, and he hands it to the judge. The judge takes it and he puts it into his pants pocket. Now, Siminovsky leaves and the judge takes it out of his his pocket. And you see him counting it, takes a couple of bills and puts it into another pocket and puts some in an envelope.

[Michael Vecchione]

Judge Garson calls Siminowski back to his office, tells him it's too much money, and tries to give it back. Simonowski insists.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Please. How are you?

[Michael Vecchione]

In the end, Garson keeps the money.

[Narrator]

What we had all suspected he would do, he actually did. Joe Hines, the district attorney in this case, would like nothing better than to tag Gerry Garson with the fact that he accepted a bribe.

[Michael Vecchione]

Attorney Ron Faschetti represented Judge Garson and told us the judge's behavior may look bad, but there is nothing illegal about any of it.

[Narrator]

He never fixed a case. He never accepted any money on any cases whatsoever. The $1,000 that you're talking about was a referral fee that Paul Simonowski said, you referred me a case. I received a fee, and here's the $1,000 it's returned to give back.

[Michael Vecchione]

Are judges supposed to take referral fees?

[Frida Hannemoff]

Absolutely not.

[Narrator]

And he tried to give it back three times.

[Michael Vecchione]

He didn't try to give all of it back.

[Narrator]

Yes, he did. The whole thousand dollars. You see him counting it out, put it in an envelope, opened the drawer, gave it back to him. That's our position.

[Michael Vecchione]

He ended up taking it.

[Narrator]

Yes, he did. You've heard of the law of entrapment, I'm sure.

[Michael Vecchione]

Furthermore, Faschetti says Garson showed Siminowski no special treatment in exchange for all those meals.

[Narrator]

The only bribe he's accused of taking is the fact that he had lunch and dinner with Paul Simonowski in order to have favorable treatment for Paul Simonowski and give him lore guardianships. Now, I tell you, I mean, that is so ridiculous on its face. A person like Jerry Garson as a Supreme Court judge is not going to throw in his robes for a hamburger.

[Michael Vecchione]

The judge is on tape telling and coaching Simonowski on how to win a case in front of him.

[Narrator]

Well, I disagree.

[Michael Vecchione]

He's giving him lessons. He's telling him how to write.

[Narrator]

That's not. That's not correct. What happened was, I understand that it made a decision regarding the property in that case, and what he was doing is telling Paul Simonowski in his own words that he had ruled in his favor. Even though you're going to win, he says, and that's wrong.

[Michael Vecchione]

He says, your client's going to win, but he doesn't deserve it.

[Narrator]

Well, I.

[Michael Vecchione]

It sounds as though he's saying, I shouldn't be doing this, but because of our relationship, I'm going to win. That's not correct, but that's what it sounds like.

[Narrator]

That's not correct.

[Michael Vecchione]

But 48 hours after Judge Garson took that money, detectives picked him up and brought him to a place they call the Gulag.

[Narrator]

It's a stark military area here in Brooklyn, and there's barbed wire around the place.

[Michael Vecchione]

He still had the thousand dollars in his pocket.

[Frida Hannemoff]

On WhatsApp, no one can see or hear your personal messages. Whether it's a voice call message or sending a password to WhatsApp, it's all just this. So whether you're sharing the streaming password in the family chat or trading those late night voice messages that could basically become a podcast, your personal messages stay between you, your friends and your family. No one else, not even us. WhatsApp message privately with everyone.

[Narrator]

Risk is the show where people tell true stories they never thought they dare to share. A podcast all about human connection and radical honesty. All through June for Pride Month, Risk will be featuring the stories of LGBTQ folks from all walks of life. You'll laugh, cry, and maybe even end up feeling a little bit better. Go get Risk on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode is brought to you by Polestar. There's only one true way to experience the all electric luxury SUV Polestar 3. And that's to take a test drive. It can go from 0 to 60 in as little as 4.8 seconds with the dynamic handling of a sports car. But to truly understand how it commands the road, you need to be behind the wheel. Up to 350 miles of range. The 3D surround sound system by Bowers and Wilkins. It's all something you have to experience to believe. So book your Test drive for Polestar 3 [e-mail].

[Frida Hannemoff]

This is 1010 WINS.

[Michael Vecchione]

Sources reveal that a Brooklyn State Supreme Court judge is under arrest on corruption charges. He's identified a 71 year old Gerald Garson.

[Narrator]

He was not a low level judge.

[Michael Vecchione]

When Judge Garson saw what investigators had on tape, they say he offered to cut a deal. But in the end, it fell apart. And nine months after Frida Hannemoff went undercover, it took a lot of guts.

[Frida Hannemoff]

For her to do what she did.

[Michael Vecchione]

The authorities arrested Judge Garson and charged him with receiving a bribe. Excepting all those free lunches could put the judge behind bars for up to seven years. And when investigators raided Nisam Elman's warehouse, they found a treasure trove of documents.

[Narrator]

When we cracked open these file cabinets, now mind you, this is a electronic salesman in the middle of Brooklyn. When these drawers are opened, you feel like you're in a satellite file room for the matrimonial court.

[Michael Vecchione]

They arrested Neesom Elman and also retired court clerk Paul Sarnell and Judge Garson's court officer Louis Salerno. They were accused of taking bribes to steer cases to Garson's court. This surveillance tape shows Salerno accepting a bribe. A bag full of electronics right on the courthouse steps.

[Narrator]

It's conspiracy first off and foremost.

[Michael Vecchione]

And it all starts with.

[Narrator]

Certainly does.

[Michael Vecchione]

But it doesn't end with Frida. There are many women who say that because of Judge Garson, they lost custody of their children.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Okay, guys, ready?

[Michael Vecchione]

Remember Seagal Levy, the woman whose divorce Judge Garson was discussing in that undercover tape? Seagal had always suspected corruption. In fact, she's the one who's tipped to Frida about Neesom Elman started Freda on her crusade. Judge Garson was arrested before he ruled on Seagal's case, but her estranged husband has pled guilty to conspiring to bribe the judge.

[Frida Hannemoff]

My ex husband told me numerous times how he went to the right people to take care of me.

[Michael Vecchione]

He paid Elman $10,000, but ironically, he says he's the victim and that he only did it because Elman threatened him that he would lose everything if he didn't pay up.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I knew about Seagal's divorce probably before she did. I knew her name, that it was going on there. Lisa Cohen here? Yes.

[Michael Vecchione]

Lisa Cohen knew because she and her husband were friendly with Neesom Elman. You socialized with Neesom and his wife?

[Frida Hannemoff]

Yes. I knew that he had the judge in his pocket. I knew that he was very friendly with the judge as well as he had a very intimate rapport with Paul Simonowski.

[Michael Vecchione]

How did you know?

[Frida Hannemoff]

From the horse's mouth. He told me.

[Michael Vecchione]

What did he tell you?

[Frida Hannemoff]

Any favor you need, the judge is my friend. In my pocket.

[Michael Vecchione]

He said that to you?

[Frida Hannemoff]

Blatant.

[Michael Vecchione]

And so when Lisa and her husband went through their own divorce later that year, she was terrified.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I received the notice in the mail to appear in Supreme Court, and sure enough, Judge Garson's name was right there.

[Michael Vecchione]

And what did you think he said?

[Frida Hannemoff]

That's it. I'm doomed. I'm fixed and it's all over.

[Michael Vecchione]

Lisa's ex husband hasn't been charged with any wrongdoing, but Lisa still believes his friendship with Ellman hurt her. She believes that Judge Garson shorted her on child support. Judge Garson has not been charged with fixing any decisions, but an administrative judge was appointed to review his divorce and custody ruling.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Let me tell you something about this job. One of the great things about this job is I don't know what the I have tomorrow till I get here, I don't give a either.

[Michael Vecchione]

The man alleged to be the gatekeeper of Judge Garson's corrupt court, Neesom Elman, sat down with us for his first interview. His lawyer, Gerald McMahon, by his side. Do you think in your heart that you did anything wrong?

[Frida Hannemoff]

No.

[Michael Vecchione]

You didn't do anything wrong? No.

[Frida Hannemoff]

No. I tried to help these people.

[Michael Vecchione]

Did you ever bribe Judge Garson? Absolutely not. Were you bribing Paul Simonowski?

[Frida Hannemoff]

I was not under impression that I was bribing him.

[Michael Vecchione]

In fact, Elman has been charged with conspiracy to bribe practically everyone in Judge Garson's court, from employees Salerno and Sarnell to lawyer Simonowski. To Judge Garson himself. But Elman says he never really knew the judge.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I was really showing off, like I'm a big shot and that was my biggest mistake.

[Michael Vecchione]

When you told Freda that if she didn't pay, she was going to lose her kids in 30 days, what are you saying you meant?

[Frida Hannemoff]

Leslie? One of the things that when Freda goes to Mr. Elman and she's asking him these things, there's no question that.

[Narrator]

His responses, his comments to her on many occasions, if they were true, would be criminal.

[Frida Hannemoff]

But they weren't true. None of those things were true.

[Narrator]

Not a single one.

[Michael Vecchione]

Did you say, I'm calling the judge. Did you mislead her?

[Frida Hannemoff]

I might have done that just to calm her down. Hi, how are you?

[Michael Vecchione]

Elman says he lied to Freda when he told her her ex husband was bribing the judge. And in fact, there is no evidence her ex slipped anyone any money. And he has not been charged with any wrongdoing. Still, Ellman convinced Frieda her ex was up to no good and took $9,000 from her. Every penny he says he gave to lawyer Simonowski. Didn't you keep some of the money yourself?

[Narrator]

Absolutely not.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Not even one cent. He destroyed children's lives. And I don't have answers for my children. I just don't.

[Michael Vecchione]

You think he did it purely simply for the money?

[Frida Hannemoff]

Greed.

[Michael Vecchione]

But Elman and his attorney believe that if anyone's motive should be in question, it should be Frieda's.

[Narrator]

Frida Hanemoff is not a crusader trying.

[Frida Hannemoff]

To clean up corruption in Brooklyn, nor is Joe Heinz. Frieda Hahnemoff is a useful to Joe.

[Narrator]

Hines so that he can get publicity for this case.

[Michael Vecchione]

You are suggesting that she is not a very truthful person.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I'm not suggesting it.

[Narrator]

I'm stating it categorically.

[Frida Hannemoff]

She's a liar. I'm gonna take her.

[Michael Vecchione]

I promise. He calls her a child abuser who found a way to get the charges dropped. Did she hit her child?

[Narrator]

Well, no, none of us believe she did. She felt that the husband had been manipulating her child, which is what happened.

[Frida Hannemoff]

See? Cheese.

[Michael Vecchione]

But Freda still has to convince the court that she's the better parent to raise her oldest son.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Hopefully, I'm going to get my son today.

[Michael Vecchione]

Nearly two years after Judge Garson's arrest, she's still fighting for custody. Well, sick.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I just want to get over it already.

[Narrator]

Did you know that parents rank financial literacy as the number one most difficult life skill to teach? Meet Greenlight, the debit card and money app for families with Greenlight.

[Frida Hannemoff]

You can send money to kids quickly. Set up chores automate allowance and keep.

[Narrator]

An eye on your kids spending.

[Frida Hannemoff]

With real time notifications, kids learn to.

[Narrator]

Earn, save and spend wisely. And parents can rest easy knowing their.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Kids are learning about money.

[Narrator]

With guardrails in place, try Greenlight risk.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Free [e-mail] Spotify Ryan Reynolds here from.

[Michael Vecchione]

Mint Mobile with a message for everyone paying big wireless way too much. Please, for the love of everything good.

[Frida Hannemoff]

In this world, stop with Mint. You can get premium wireless for just $15 a month. Of course, if you enjoy overpaying, no judgments. But that's weird. Okay, one judgment anyway.

[Michael Vecchione]

Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[Narrator]

Of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month required intro rate first 3 months only, then full price available, taxes and fees extra. See full [e-mail].

[Michael Vecchione]

For almost two years, Frida Hanimoff has been fighting to get custody of her eldest son. And today could be the day. Finally, Yanif, who still says his mother hit him, agrees to live with her because he wants to be near his school. So after a very long wait and a very short hearing, I got my son back.

[Frida Hannemoff]

My heart is like jumping up and down. This is every mother's dream, you know, to have her kids back. This is a big win for me, a big win. I'm glad you got.

[Michael Vecchione]

Seems that women all over the country have heard about what she's done.

[Frida Hannemoff]

People start calling me, oh, I had the same story as you. I lost two kids. Another woman calls me, I had one kid. They thought, I'm a da. I can help them. But I'm just a mother who fight the system. And I won.

[Michael Vecchione]

And you've been likened to Erin Brockovich.

[Frida Hannemoff]

That's what they're saying. And who was the law guardian? Was Elle.

[Michael Vecchione]

Every month, Frida meets with other women. If she hears what she thinks is evidence of corruption, she calls her new friends in law enforcement.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Well, I was there once. If I can help those women, why not?

[Michael Vecchione]

In the wake of Judge Garson's arrest, court administrators formed a new commission to reform New York's divorce court. And Frida was right there. In this part of New York, at least, things are changing. The district attorney credits Freda with forcing the leadership of the court to re examine how they pick judges and how they handle custody cases.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Has Frieda done that? You bet she did. Here we go.

[Michael Vecchione]

Now. Hollywood has come calling. A movie company bought the rights to Frida's story.

[Frida Hannemoff]

How did it feel for you to be.

[Michael Vecchione]

The script line is simple. A Russian immigrant, for whom English is a third language, exposed a potential sewer of corruption in an American court. And now the women who thought they had no voice at all will get to be heard. Do you know the word tenacious?

[Frida Hannemoff]

No. What's this?

[Michael Vecchione]

It's a person who grabs hold when they want something and doesn't let go.

[Frida Hannemoff]

So call me that there. So call me this name.

[Michael Vecchione]

Tenacious. However tenacious Frieda was, it would take nearly five years before the case against Judge Gerald Garson would go to trial. A jury found the judge, who handled more than 1,000 matrimonial cases while on the bench, guilty of receiving bribes. Garson stood before the court, ashamed.

[Frida Hannemoff]

I am profoundly sorry, excuse me, for the public scrutiny presented upon the judiciary as a whole. What I have to say now is for my family, my wife, my children and grandchildren and friends, and I know.

[Michael Vecchione]

That my own acts and shortcomings have.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Changed their lives forever. I apologize for all of you they pay them, and of course, you.

[Michael Vecchione]

But the former judge refused to apologize to all the women who say they and their children were his victims.

[Narrator]

Gerald Garson served 30 months in prison. He later died. In 2016, at age 83, Paul Simonovsky pled guilty to a misdemeanor. Nisa Melman pled guilty to all the charges against him. Luis Salerno was convicted of receiving a bribe. And Paul Sarnell was found not guilty of all charges.

[Frida Hannemoff]

Summer is heating up. The shy's back on Paramount. It's the season of the women.

[Michael Vecchione]

This is a chance.

[Frida Hannemoff]

It's time to get to work. But the men aren't giving up without a fight. The shy new season, now streaming on the Paramount with Showtime Plan Novocade is.

[Narrator]

Now streaming on Paramount. We're gonna love this. It's an adrenaline rush of fun.

[Michael Vecchione]

Whoa.

[Frida Hannemoff]

This is the best. And a bloody good time.

[Narrator]

Looking forward to it. Novakay. Rated R. Now streaming on Paramount. Plus.