“Nice to know we can still keep some secrets.”
Smiling at you.
Yep, yep, yep.
March 12, 2008
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://newhaven.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/2008/nh031208.htm
NEW YORK RESIDENTS INDICTED ON FEDERAL MONEY LAUNDERING, CASH SMUGGLING CHARGES
Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an Indictment charging HASSAN ABUZAITOUN, 35, and MOHAMMAD ALAZZAM, 33, both naturalized U.S. citizens from Jordan residing in Yonkers , New York , with conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to smuggle bulk cash from the United States . ABUZAITOUN also is charged with making false statements to federal law enforcement officers. The three-count Indictment was returned on February 26.
The Indictment alleges that ABUZAITOUN and ALAZZAM engaged in transferring bulk quantities of cash from the United States to Jordan , for the purpose of concealing the true ownership of the funds and evading the United States ’ cash reporting requirements. The Indictment further alleges that ABUZAITOUN, ALAZZAM and others then conspired to attempt to smuggle $500,000 in cash from the United States to Jordan , which cash was represented to be the fruits of a credit card fraud scheme.
Finally, the Indictment alleges that, on February 18, 2008 , ABUZAITOUN made false statements to federal law enforcement officers investigating this alleged money laundering and cash smuggling scheme.
ABUZAITOUN and ALAZZAM have been detained since their arrest on February 18, 2008 .
The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $500,000. The charge of conspiracy to smuggle bulk cash carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of making a false statement carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney O’Connor stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is being investigated by the United States Secret Service; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation Division, and U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David A. Ring.