SDNY
COURTHOUSE, April 1 - Since the US
Department of Justice indicted, then dropped its case
against, Eric Adams, its Southern District of New York
US Attorney's Office has brought a number of case
against Adams officials and friends.
On April 1 Inner
City Press was in the SDNY Magistrates Court when defense
counsel for a close Adams friend, Zhan Petrosyants also
known as Johnny, was at the front table chatting with the
prosecutor. There
was no one else in the courtroom gallery.
The presentment
and arraignment were delayed because the Pre-Trial
Services report was not ready. Inner City Press checked on
PACER and the indictment of Zhan Petrosyants was already
there: fraud, aggravated identity theft (two year
consecutive minimum, if not traded away) and money
laundering.
Finally
the report arrived, and the proceeding began. Inner City
Press live tweeted it, here:
Woman who's been
waiting here in the courtroom is now told to go to 26
Federal Plaza and "pick up his luggage" - hmm. She will
not be bringing the luggage back to the courthouse, but is
told (by lawyer) to "call an Uber for your husband."
Waiting for judge
OK - Zhan "Johnny"
Petrosyants is brought into the courtroom by two US
Marshals.
All rise!
The Honorable Ona T. Wang!
Judge: Time of arrest?
AUSA: Last night 9:30 pm at JFK Airport
Judge: You have the
right to remain silent... You have the right to consular
notification, in some cases a treaty requires it. This is
a four count indictment...Fraud and ID theft and money
laundering.
Defense: Plea of not guilty
Judge: I understand you
have a bail package?
AUSA: Defendant wishes to be released today - we are
willing, as long as Pre-Trial can install a GPS monitor.
Reside with wife in [ ] Edgewater, NJ, $1 million bond,
secured by sister in law's house [ ] Saddle RIver NJ
AUSA: We are aware of
two passports and we have them. Surrender of passports of
his wife and [ ] children, to the degree they have them.
Conditions met by April 8. No new accounts or businesses
without pre-approval by pre-trial services
AUSA: No possession of
the personal identifying information of others, with the
exclusion of his family.
Defense: He only has two passports, for the record.
Judge: I accept the recommendations.
Adjourned
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