Emotional Real Estate Lawyer Sentenced for $4.4 Million Fraud Scam

In an emotional courtroom scene, a New York City lawyer admitted to embezzling $4.4 million intended for pandemic-related supplies, with prosecutors claiming he diverted the funds to maintain a relationship with his CEO girlfriend.

Bryan McKenna, once a real estate attorney, was found guilty in July of siphoning over $4 million from an escrow account that was supposed to facilitate a company’s purchase of latex gloves, as detailed by the District Attorney’s Office.

McKenna’s defense attorney contended that he faced severe financial difficulties and was struggling to afford mental health care for his son, as reported by The New York Post.

Prosecutors, however, argued that McKenna misappropriated the money to enhance his personal life and to foster a romantic involvement with Duni Zenaye, who was then the CEO of the business consulting firm AstZen Group.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, the 62-year-old lawyer openly wept, using a tissue to dab at his tears, as he received a prison sentence of up to six years.

‘I am ashamed of myself. I tried to lead a good life,’ McKenna explained to the Manhattan Supreme Court judge.

‘I did these crimes, I deserve to go to jail,’ he added. ‘I don’t know what else to say for myself.’ 

The massive fraud scheme began in 2021, when Elkay Plastics – a packaging manufacturer and distributor – reached out to AstZen Group to buy 500,000 boxes of latex gloves during the pandemic. 

Bryan McKenna (pictured), a former Manhattan real estate attorney, broke down in tears as he admitted to stealing $4.4 million meant for pandemic equipment during his Tuesday sentencing

Prosecutors claimed McKenna used the funds for his personal life and to advance a ‘romantic relationship’ with Duni Zenaye (pictured), then CEO of business consulting firm AstZen Group 

Elkay Plastics then put $4.45 million into an escrow account controlled by McKenna – a routine, secure setup where money is held by a third party until all conditions of a deal are satisfied.

That January, McKenna promised to keep the funds in the escrow account until AstZen Group officially shipped off the gloves.

By April, the account was emptied, and the medical-grade equipment was never delivered, according to the DA’s office.

Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Borle alleged that McKenna siphoned the millions to spend on him and AstZen Group’s then CEO and his lover, Zenaye, to bolster their romance.

However Eric Franz, McKenna’s defense lawyer, argued that the money was only funneled to help his family, particularly his son who was struggling with mentally.

‘His focus was on, “I need to help my son,”‘ Franz told Judge Althea Drysdale, according to The Post.

Franz further bolstered his argument, telling the court that McKenna was a desperate father trying to secure doctor appointments for his son’s medications and mental wellbeing.

Prosecutors fired back, arguing he instead used the money to enrich his personal life and advance the ‘romantic relationship’ he had with Zenaye, who faced no charges.

In 2021, Elkay Plastics – a packaging manufacturer and distributor – reached out to AstZen Group to buy 500,000 boxes of latex gloves, with $4.4 million going into an escrow account run by McKenna (stock photo)

The DA’s office claimed that, despite being given the chance to return the stolen money in summer 2021, McKenna kept lying about where it was until November. 

In July 2025, then-Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. announced that McKenna had pleaded guilty to stealing millions from the escrow account of the company buying personal protective equipment (PPE).

‘This plea and expected prison sentence demonstrate the seriousness with which my office treats fraud targeting New Yorkers,’ Bragg wrote in an office press release.

‘From real estate clients to a company purchasing hard-to-find medical gloves during the pandemic, Bryan McKenna repeatedly drained the accounts of those who looked to him for legal representation,’ he added.

But McKenna’s Covid fraud only came to light during an investigation that revealed he had also stolen more than $260,000 from two clients in New York City and Brooklyn real estate deals.

Court documents show that in 2021 – the same year he ran the escrow account dry – McKenna represented a woman in selling her Manhattan condo, taking $1,149,900, the sale proceeds, into his escrow account. 

His client instructed McKenna to pay her $835,000 and hold back $184,600 in the account to cover the IRS capital gains tax owed on the sale. 

She soon realized her tax liability had been reduced by about $24,000 and ordered McKenna to pay her that amount. 

 The office of former Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (pictured) said McKenna was given the chance to return the stolen money in summer 2021, but kept lying about where it was until November

While he handed over the $24,000, McKenna kept the remaining $160,000, diverting it to his own bank account rather than paying his client or the IRS. 

Two years on, in October 2023, he again represented a client – this time in the sale of a Brooklyn townhouse, according to the DA’s office.

As with his earlier client, he received the sale proceeds – specifically $762,000 – which were deposited into his attorney escrow account. 

The client ordered him to pay off two mortgage loans totaling $653,000 from the proceeds, which McKenna carried out.

But the leftover $109,000 was never paid to the client and was once again transferred straight into McKenna’s own account and drained. 

By December 2023, McKenna had voluntarily resigned from the New York State Bar, only to be indicted in September 2024. 

Before his disbarment, he appeared to lead a double life as a stand-up comedian in New York, with Instagram posts showing him performing at The Comic Strip in the Upper East Side. 

During the pandemic lockdown, McKenna’s social media featured short comedy skits and family moments with his wife and children. 

McKenna (pictured) had also stolen more than $260,000 from two clients in New York City and Brooklyn real estate deals

McKenna’s social media featured short comedy skits and family moments with his wife (pictured) and children

He was charged in a New York State Supreme Court with one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the first degree. 

‘Hard working New Yorkers need to be able to trust that their attorneys are acting in their best interest,’ Bragg wrote in a statement announcing his indictment.

‘As alleged, Bryan McKenna completely violated that trust by draining his attorney escrow account of funds from two clients’ real estate transactions,’ he added.

Bragg explained that the probe was still active, eventually leading to the discovery of the stolen $4.4 million and McKenna’s alleged romantic relationship with the company’s CEO.