Bidz.com, Inc. (or its predecessor companies Asset Lenders of America and Union Pawn) and David Zinberg (founder, CEO and largest shareholder of Bidz.com) have affiliations with numerous convicted felons. The connections to criminals are through business and other dealings such as employment or co-ownership. The list of convictions include: telecom fraud, healthcare fraud, prostitution, tax evasion, theft, battery, sexual offences and numerous other violent crimes.
In addition, key employees of Bidz.com (or its predecessor companies) are involved with illegal strip clubs in the United States and prostitution in Russia. Federal and State authorities are investigating and have already proceeded against allegedly fraudulent healthcare operations in California.
Below is a summary of the connections and links to related court and government filings:
David Zinberg Connection to Tommy Gambino and Sergey Proshak
David Zinberg was a co-defendant with an alleged associate of the Gambino Crime Family (Tommy Gambino) and a convicted felon employed by a Bidz.com predecessor company (Sergey Proshak).
David Zinberg Civil Cases 1
According to the New York Times, Tommy Gambino is the son of convicted heroin trafficker and alleged Gambino Crime Family member, Rosario Gambino.
Tommy Gambino New York Times Article
Sergey Proshak’s convictions include prostitution, restricting a peace officer and trespassing. He is also a registered sex offender whose listed work address is a Bidz.com predecessor company, Union Bail Bonds. Criminal charges include: kidnapping, assault, battery and other offences.
Sergey Proshak Criminal Cases
New York Sex Offender Listing for Sergey Proshak
Bidz.com Connection to Garry Itkin and Oleg Khersonsky
Oleg Khersonsky is the listed agent of four pawn shops owned by Bidz.com according to the company’s private placement memorandum on April 20, 1999.
Bidz.com Pawn Shop List on Page 72 of Document
Oleg Khersonsky Listed Agent for Albert Jewelry and Loan
Oleg Khersonsky Listed Agent for Cesar Chavez Collateral Lenders
Oleg Khersonsky Listed Agent for Louis Jewelry & Loan
Oleg Khersonsky Listed Agent for Pico Union Pawn Shop
He was convicted of oral copulation through force or fear of a person under 14. His other criminal charges include assault with deadly weapon, battery, resisting arrest, attempted burglary, giving false information to a peace officer, and driving under the influence.
Oleg Khersonsky Criminal History
Garry Itkin is the former Chief Financial Officer and current Board Member of Bidz.com. Garry Itkin was the co-owner with Oleg Khersonsky of an illegally operated strip club in Los Angeles called Sunset Strip Night Club. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control revoked the Sunset Strip's license for violations which include simulated sexual intercourse, and illegal fully nude dancing.
Sunset Strip License Revoked
Garry Itkin and Oleg Khersonsky then sold the business to Alex Brosilovsky in 2001 without disclosing that the strip club had its license revoked. Alex Brosilovsky sued Garry Itkin and Oleg Khersonsky for fraudulently conveying the strip club.
Brosilovsky Suit
Bidz.com and David Zinberg Connection to Vladislav Shulga
Vladislav Shulga has been a co-defendant with David Zinberg in suits and is the listed agent for one of the pawn shops. His felony convictions include health care fraud, false income tax returns, and illegal remuneration.
Vladislav Shulga Civil and Criminal History
Vladislav Shulga Health Care Fraud
Bidz.com and David Zinberg Connection to Steven Proshak and Alex Vaysfeld
David Zinberg, Steve Proshak and Alex Vaysfeld are listed agents for a Bidz.com predecessor company called Union Bail Bonds.
David Zinberg Listed Agent for Union Bail Bonds
Steven Proshak Listed Agent for Union Bail Bonds
Alex Vaysfeld Listed Agent for Union Bail Bonds
Steven Proshak is being investigated by the California Department of Health Services for healthcare fraud. He is also being sued for conversion in a healthcare fraud suit in Pennsylvania.
California Investigation of Steven Proshak
Steven Proshak Suit
Alex Vaysfeld is a co-owner of brothel in Russia called Night Flight. He has admitted to providing prostitutes in Moscow in an interview.
Alex Vaysfeld Article
Night Flight Prostitutes
Bidz.com Connection to Igor Krakovsky
Igor Krakovsky was the Director of Business Development for Bidz.com. His criminal convictions include theft, receiving stolen property and telecom fraud. Igor Krakovsky has also been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and stealing credit cards.
Bidz.com Company Directory with Igor Krakovsky
Igor Krakovsky Criminal Cases
Bidz.com and David Zinberg Connection to Michael Merzlak
David Zinberg was a co-defendant with Michael Merzlak in a suit filed by Yelena Simonyan. Yelena Simonyan claimed she had loaned money to David Zinberg and Michael Merzlak as well as invested in pawn shops owned by a Bidz.com predecessor. She alleged that David Zinberg tried to take away her interest in the pawn shops and that her ownership was not disclosed in Bidz.com’s private placement documents. Yelena Simonyan won a judgment of $700,000 against David Zinberg, Bidz.com and affiliated companies.
Simonyan Suit
Simonyan Judgment
Michael Merzlak’s felony convictions include knowingly receiving stolen property and unlawful sale of a firearm.
Michael Merzlak Criminal Cases
Bidz.com Connection to Saied Aframian
Saied Aframian is Bidz.com’s biggest supplier and is also a large shareholder of the company. He has been convicted of fencing stolen goods as part of a nation-wide jewelry theft ring.
Saied Aframian Article 1
Saied Aframian Article 2
Bidz.com Connection to Igor Sapo
Igor Sapo is the listed agent for a pawn shop owned by Bidz.com according to the company’s private placement memorandum on April 20, 1999. Igor Sapo was imprisoned for 8 months for healthcare fraud.
Bidz.com Pawn Shop List on Page 72 of Document
Igor Sapo Listed Agent for AAA Pawn Shop
Igor Sapo Conviction
Bidz.com and David Zinberg Connection to Raffi King
According to a declaration by David Zinberg, Raffi King ran the capital raising efforts for Bidz.com. Raffi King has also been sanctioned and fined by the Securities Exchange Commission.
David Zinberg Discussed Raffi King
Raffi King Fine
