NEWARK, N.J. – Eric Leykin, a 32-year-old CEO of a clinical reference laboratory based in Brooklyn, New York, was arraigned on Thursday, for wire fraud, as announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. The indictment on May 24, 2023, alleges Leykin fraudulently entered a competitor’s laboratory in New Jersey and destroyed and stole business equipment.
According to court documents, Leykin acquired a prepaid mobile phone and, posing as a vendor technician, arranged to service equipment at the rival lab on July 1, 2022. While on the premises, Leykin reportedly caused extensive damage to laboratory and computer equipment and stole several computer hard drives. The wire fraud count carries a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gain or loss from the offense.