by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 14 – Three Georgians were arrested on November 14 on an organized crime indictment a longtime judge called "barebones."
They consented to detention and don't have a next court date until June 2024. Inner City Press covered each step.
After three 6:05 am arrested, the prosecutors announced an Indictment charging VAZHA GABADADZE, a/k/a “Natan Yusupov,” KAKHA KATSADZE, TEIMURAZ TAVBERIDZE and DAVIT TIKARADZE with extortion offenses.
They specified that "GABADADZE, KATSADZE, TAVBERIDZE, and TIKARADZE were arrested today and will be presented this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger."
Inner City Press went to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrates Court and was the only media there as all three were presented, and then arraigned. Thread:
All rise! Judge: Date and time of arrest? AUSA: Today, 6:05 am, for Hobbs Act extortion. We seek detention, and an exclusion of time.
Counsel: Consent to detention without prejudice - and proposed order for medicsl attention. Adjourned.
Now the third defendant, first on indictment and retaining his own counsel, VAZHA GABADADZE, being presented in SDNY Magistrates court (after being bounced down from 14th floor for arraignment). He asks to speak for himself...
Judge: I suggest you speak with the Federal Defender first. [He gets convinced not to speak, consents to detention. Oh and he says they have his name wrong. *Now* up to 14...
Now in 14B, before Judge Rakoff who says: This is the most barebones indictment I've ever seen. Will you supersede? AUSA: No
Judge Rakoff: If you file a motion for a bill of particulars, I will grant it in detail Counsel: 2 weeks? Judge Rakoff: I was hoping 2 days AUSA: Thieves in law are like Godfathers in Italian organized crime. Judge Rakoff: Like brother in law?
AUSA: No. They extorted $15,000. It started in Georgia. Then he illegally entered the US. He threatened to poke out the victim's eyes and cut out his tongue
AUSA: We got 2 Apple Watches today. We will require a protective order. Plus, it's all in Georgian. We could update you by letter every 30 days-- Judge Rakoff: Not acceptable. Consult with your agent on a date.
AUSA: 90 days. Judge Rakoff: I'm feeling generous, so March 15. Counsel: Can we have 90 days? Judge: THey will likely remain detained, but OK. June 21 at 2 pm, time excluded. Adjourned.
The case is US v. Gabadadze, et al, 23-cr-585 (Rakoff / Lehrburger)
The dissed Indictment is on Patreon here
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