Tyrese Haspil, the former executive assistant of Fahim Saleh, CEO of Gokada, has been found guilty of first-degree murder and multiple counts of embezzlement.
The verdict, delivered by a Manhattan jury on Monday, marks the end of a harrowing legal saga that unfolded over accusations of financial betrayal and a brutal homicide.
Prosecutors detailed how Haspil, 25, meticulously planned and executed the murder of his boss in July 2020 to cover up a complex embezzlement scheme.
Haspil, entrusted with managing Saleh’s financial affairs, reportedly siphoned approximately $400,000 from the tech entrepreneur’s accounts over several months using fraudulent transactions and hidden accounts.
The trial revealed that tensions escalated when Saleh discovered the embezzlement and confronted Haspil earlier in 2020.
Instead of facing the consequences, Haspil opted to silence Saleh permanently, fearing exposure and legal repercussions.
On July 13, 2020, Haspil followed Saleh into his Lower East Side condominium, where he incapacitated him with a taser and fatally stabbed him multiple times.
Following the heinous act, Haspil returned the next day to dismember Saleh’s body in an attempt to conceal the crime.
However, he abandoned the cleanup midway upon discovering police presence outside Saleh’s apartment.
Saleh’s cousin, checking on him after being unable to reach him, made the gruesome discovery of the dismembered body.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution painted a chilling portrait of Haspil’s calculated actions, describing how he methodically planned the murder to prevent Saleh from reporting him to authorities.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized the tragedy of Saleh’s untimely death, highlighting his entrepreneurial success and contributions to the tech industry.
“I hope the accountability delivered by today’s verdict can provide a measure of comfort to Mr. Saleh’s loved ones as they continue to mourn his loss,” Bragg stated in a post-verdict statement.
Haspil, represented by Sam Roberts of The Legal Aid Society, faces a sentencing hearing scheduled for September.
The case has drawn widespread attention for its grisly details and the betrayal of trust between a CEO and his assistant, underscoring the vulnerabilities within corporate settings and the drastic consequences of financial malfeasance.