<p>An accused white-collar criminal pleaded guilty to grand larceny and money-laundering charges just to escape the brutal violence at Rikers Island that left him blind in one eye, according to a lawsuit. Altura St. Michael Ewers, 46, was accused of helping a Manhattan equity fund manager friend bilk investors, including Kentucky’s state pension fund, out of millions to fund a lavish lifestyle. He was arrested in 2014 and sent to Rikers Island.</p>