Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Guggenheim Impersonators Charged With Fraud
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 1, 2011
Modified Feb 1, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 1, 2011
Modified Feb 1, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A trio of con artists posed as members of the Guggenheim family in a scheme to swindle millions from investors, which included Coca-Cola execs and and associates of both Bush presidents. David Birnbaum, 67, of Brooklyn, Vladimir Zuravel, 45, of Queens, and Catarina Pietra Toumei, 45, of California were all charged in Manhattan federal court with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and now face 20 years in prison. Toumei is still at large, while the other two have been released on bond, according to the Daily News.
Birnbaum and Zuravel had been identifying themselves in phone calls as "David B. Guggenheim" and "Vladimir Z. Guggenheim" while shopping around investments (as NY Mag points out, Zuravel is a Russian native and "In the world of art, the main seat of Russian influence is the Guggenheim"). Toumei had a different approach... telling people she was married to John Ratzenberger, who played Cliff Clavin on Cheers (according to his publicist, the two did once date). She also would make phone calls on behalf of the faux Guggenheims she was conspiring with.
Amongst their fake investments were a $4 billion sale of crude oil and a $1 billion deal involving a Guggenheim vodka brand—their alleged scheme found no takers. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said, "The defendants allegedly impersonated one of America’s most famous families to fleece potential victims by pitching bogus investments," but that the three victims cooperating with prosecutors hadn't paid the grifters a cent.
In court yesterday, Zuravel said he was innocent and proclaimed that Birnbaum "is the real Guggenheim." However, we've got to agree with the NY Post, as the paper declares they're pretty sure Guggenheims don't have 718 area codes!
Tagged
Catarina Pietra Toumei
David Birnbaum
fraud
guggenheim
impersonator
Vladimir Zuravel
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYPD says 15-year-old found dead with gunshot in Bronx apartment, another teen grazed
A second teen dies in a Bronx apartment shooting just this week.
By
Monica Melton
Published Aug 13, 2026 at 7:59 a.m. ET
City Council looks to revive New York City outdoor dining
Only 1,600 restaurants participate in the program, down from a peak of 12,500.
By
Walter Wuthmann
News
City Council looks to revive New York City outdoor dining
Only 1,600 restaurants participate in the program, down from a peak of 12,500.
By
Walter Wuthmann
A burst of enthusiasm over Sunnyside Yard Queens project, followed by yawning silence
By
Willow Higgins
Doctors seek to save girl's hand after firework blast at Staten Island park, friend says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Cyclists to Mamdani: Electric Citi Bikes are way too expensive
By
Stephen Nessen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .