Free Republic

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...

Defense Denies Orlando Businessman Linked to Terrorist GroupsBy Mike Schneider Associated Press WriterPublished: Nov 18, 2002 ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Federal authorities on Monday tried to link terrorist groups to a businessman dubbed by an FBI agent as "the boss" of Orlando's tourist district, but his defense attorney disputed any ties to illegal activities. The federal bond hearing for Jesse Maali, 57, a Palestinian-American who owns T-shirt shops, gift shops and restaurants near area theme parks and hotels, focused more on his views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict than it did on the immigration violation and conspiracy charges he was arrested...