UPDATE: No Ruling Today On Motion By TelexFree’s James Merrill To Release Seized Money
UPDATED 6:07 P.M. EDT U.S.A. A U.S. Magistrate Judge issued no immediate ruling today on a motion by TelexFree figure James Merrill to release $4 million to pay for his criminal defense.
Instead, Judge David H. Hennessy will take the matter under advisement and issue an order later, according to the docket of the case. Hennessy heard arguments from both sides today.
When the order would be issued was not immediately clear.
Prosecutors in the office of U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz of the District of Massachusetts have contended Merrill isn’t entitled to the money because it belongs to victims swindled in a huge pyramid- and Ponzi scheme.
Merrill, who is charged with wire-fraud conspiracy, is represented by Boston-based attorney Robert Goldstein
NOTE: Our thanks to the ASD Updates Blog.
Quick note: We have received a report that some TelexFree sites in Brazil are reporting that TelexFree accounts have been unfrozen.
These reports appear to be a misreading of Doc. 366 in the TelexFree bankruptcy case. Doc 366 was the Trustee’s notice to the Bankruptcy Court that the U.S. District Court had authorized the Trustee to establish and maintain three accounts at Rabobank on behalf of the bankruptcy estate.
Friends, this is not an unfreezing of TelexFree money. Nor is it a “win” for TelexFree. It is a simple order to authorize the Trustee to open bank accounts as part of carrying out his duties to manage the estate.
Patrick
https://twitter.com/LisaEckelbecker/statuses/494555574525505536
James Merrill remains free on $900,000 bond in #TelexFree case after arraignment today in #Worcester.
report http://www.telegram.com worcester
Thank you, joaldro.
Patrick