Posted on 01/06/2003 1:11:58 PM PST by Shermy
Three acid bombs exploded Sunday outside the apartment of a friend of an informant in the high-profile federal case of International Drive magnate Jesse Maali, according to Local 6 News.
Acid Bomb Attacks May Be Related To Maali Case
Maali is the Palestinian-American businessman awaiting trial after being accused of hiring illegal immigrants and laundering money in Orlando.
The federal informant in the case against Maali confirmed Sunday that a friend's apartment was targeted over the weekend, according to the report.
One of the three acid bombs was packed with nails, he told the Local 6 Problem Solvers.
The informant is under federal protection since he was shot at following Maali's arrest last year. And the acid bombs are just the latest in a string of violence connected to the case, Local 6 News reported.
Maali Fuad Maali, 22, Jesse Maali's nephew, surrendered on a warrant last week charging him with assaulting the government informant at gunpoint in December.
According to court records, Maali Fuad Maali tracked down a friend of the threatened government informant and pointed a gun to his head.
Investigators said that Maali told the friend that he had 48 hours to reveal where the informant was hiding.
Then, Maali allegedly stole the friend's wallet and reportedly said "now I know where you live," according to the Local 6 News report.
Soon after, a package appeared on the friend's doorstep with a note that said, "I told you 48 hours," according to the report.
The bomb squad later determined the package was harmless.
Maali is now charged with extortion as well as armed robbery in connection with the threats since he allegedly stole the friend's wallet.
Local 6 News also reported that the government is now seeking to change the $10 million bond for Jesse Maali as he awaits trial.
Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
http://www.local6.com/orlpn/news/stories/news-186831920030103-150140.html
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The nephew of local gift shop magnate Jesse Maali surrendered to authorities Friday night after Orlando police issued a warrant accusing him of threatening to kill a government witness, according to Local 6 News.
Palestinian-American businessman Jessee Maali was arrested last year for allegedly hiring illegal immigrants to work in his gift shops on International Drive.
Shortly after his arrest, two attempts were reportedly made on the life of a federal drug informant in the case, Local 6 News reported.
According to court records, Maali Fuad Maali, Jesse Maali's nephew, tracked down a friend of the threatened government informant and pointed a gun to his head.
Investigators said that Maali told the friend that he had 48 hours to reveal where the informant was hiding.
Then, Maali allegedly stole the friend's wallet and reportedly said "now I know where you live," according to the Local 6 News report.
Soon after, a package appeared on the friend's doorstep with a note that said, "I told you 48 hours," according to the report.
The bomb squad later determined the package was harmless.
Maali is now charged with extortion as well as armed robbery in connection with the threats since he allegedly stole the friend's wallet.
Prosecutors are asking a federal judge to reconsider Jesse Maali's bond. Although Jesse Maali is not directly implicated in the threats, the government said that his family's involvement is cause for concern, Local 6 News reported.
Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
From Mid-November:
Orlando Business Raids Could Uncover Tourism/Terror Link (Florida)
Defense Denies Orlando Businessman Linked to Terrorist Groups
I-Drive shops raided [Further details about alleged terror financing by Arabs in Florida]
It's too late to sep. the good from the bad, if they were modern worthwhile humans they would have policed themselves long ago.
Send them back to the past where the prefer to dwell.
This is the future, it's obvious they don't belong.
If you want, I'll tell you how I really feel.
Police Drop Charges Against I-Drive Magnate's Nephew
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Accusation that International Drive businessman Jesse Maali's nephew and other family members made death threats against an informant and his friend are a lie, police said.
The friend of the informant said Maali Fuad Maali (pictured, left) threatened him with a gun in an attempt to get him to disclose where the witness was, and once he turned himself in Friday, the man claimed someone threw acid bombs outside his apartment, WESH NewsChannel 2 reported.
The informant and his friend may now face charges.
"I'm happy to be home and happy that the justice system worked for me," Jesse Maali's nephew, Maali Fuad Maali, said.
Maali Fuad Maali said he doesn't know the men who accused him of orchestrating a campaign of threats and intimidation. The friend of a confidential government informant said Sunday that three acid bombs were set off outside his downtown Orlando apartment.
Police now said they believe the allegations were made up.
.....more at link....
"I'm happy to be home and happy that the justice system worked for me," Jesse Maali's nephew, Maali Fuad Maali, said.
It should have said:
"I'm happy to be home and happy that the justice system and the $100,000 bribe to the chief of police worked for me," Jesse Maali's nephew, Maali Fuad Maali, said.
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