Queens Defenders founder pleads guilty to stealing from legal services provider

Lori Zeno admitted to conspiring with her husband to embezzle hundreds of thousands from the nonprofit organization.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 5:07pm

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The founder of the Queens Defenders, a legal services provider for low-income clients, pleaded guilty to conspiring with her husband to embezzle hundreds of thousands of dollars from the nonprofit organization. Lori Zeno and her husband Rashad Ruhani allegedly used the organization's funds to finance a lavish lifestyle, including foreign travel, luxury purchases, and rent for a penthouse apartment.

Why it matters

The Queens Defenders was a critical provider of legal services to disadvantaged clients in the borough, and the theft of funds has led to the organization losing its $32 million contract with the city. The case highlights the damage that can be done when leaders of nonprofit organizations abuse their positions of trust.

The details

From June 2024 to January 2025, Zeno and Ruhani allegedly diverted funds from the Queens Defenders, which are primarily generated through government contracts, to pay for personal expenses such as a vacation to Bali, an 85-inch smart TV, and a Louis Vuitton handbag. Zeno also fraudulently collected over $39,000 in rent by submitting false receipts. As a result, the city reassigned the organization's $32 million contract to the Brooklyn Defenders.

  • Zeno and Ruhani allegedly stole from the Queens Defenders between June 2024 and January 2025.
  • Zeno pleaded guilty to the charges on February 3, 2026.
  • Zeno's sentencing is scheduled for April 20, 2026.
  • Ruhani is scheduled to stand trial starting on June 1, 2026.

The players

Lori Zeno

The founder of the Queens Defenders, a legal services provider for low-income clients, who pleaded guilty to conspiring with her husband to embezzle hundreds of thousands of dollars from the nonprofit organization.

Rashad Ruhani

Zeno's husband and a Queens Defenders employee, who allegedly conspired with Zeno to defraud the organization.

Brooklyn Defenders

A legal services provider that took over the Queens Defenders' $32 million contract after the theft of funds.

Joseph Nocella Jr.

The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, who said Zeno "brazenly betrayed and abused her position of trust as the director of a non-profit."

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What they’re saying

“I agreed with another person to charge personal expenses to the corporate credit cards of the Queens Defenders.”

— Lori Zeno

“The defendant brazenly betrayed and abused her position of trust as the director of a non-profit, stealing funds that were meant for legal services for disadvantaged clients and members of the community and then spending those funds on luxury goods and expensive vacations.”

— Joseph Nocella Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York

“It's a very sad day for Ms. Lori Zeno, a very accomplished attorney.”

— Steven Legon, Zeno's lawyer

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Zeno's sentencing on April 20, 2026. Ruhani is scheduled to stand trial starting on June 1, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the damage that can be done when leaders of nonprofit organizations abuse their positions of trust and misuse funds intended to serve vulnerable communities. It underscores the importance of strong financial controls and oversight in the nonprofit sector.