Jacob The Jeweler Calls On Hip-Hop Friends For Defense
Celebrity jeweler Jacob "The Jeweler" Arabov is lining up a star-studded list of defense witnesses who may testify during his upcoming trial for federal money laundering.
Documents submitted to a judge in Detroit revealed that rappers like Jay-Z, Sean "Diddy" Combs and singer Mariah Carey are some of the witnesses Arabov will call to the stand to testify about his good character and his business scruples.
Arabov was arrested in June of 2006 and charged with helping the Black Mafia Family (BMF) crew of drug dealers launder over $270 million in drug proceeds.
Authorities claim Arabov also failed to file the proper tax forms in a scheme to hide the source of BMF's drug money.
He was released on $100,000 bail and has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
Arabov's attorney Benjamin Brafman said that he hopes the money-laundering charge will be dismissed before his client ever takes the stand.
If the charge stands, he will seek to move the trial from Detroit to Arabov's home of New York.
"Trying to coordinate flying them into Detroit is a logistical nightmare that is beyond comprehension," Brafman told The New York Post.
Brafman denied that Arabov was in on the money laundering scheme in court papers.
"As far as he knew, BMF Entertainment, as well as its owners and its artists, were up-and-coming in hip-hop," Brafman wrote to the judge.
BMF was founded by brothers Terry and Demetrius "Meech" Flenory in the mid 1980's.
In October 2005, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested over 30 members BMF and seized over $3 million in money, assets, 2 ½ kilograms of cocaine and weapons.
Prior to the October raids, DEA officers had seized almost 650 kilograms of cocaine and $11 million in money and assets.
Documents submitted to a judge in Detroit revealed that rappers like Jay-Z, Sean "Diddy" Combs and singer Mariah Carey are some of the witnesses Arabov will call to the stand to testify about his good character and his business scruples.
Arabov was arrested in June of 2006 and charged with helping the Black Mafia Family (BMF) crew of drug dealers launder over $270 million in drug proceeds.
Authorities claim Arabov also failed to file the proper tax forms in a scheme to hide the source of BMF's drug money.
He was released on $100,000 bail and has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
Arabov's attorney Benjamin Brafman said that he hopes the money-laundering charge will be dismissed before his client ever takes the stand.
If the charge stands, he will seek to move the trial from Detroit to Arabov's home of New York.
"Trying to coordinate flying them into Detroit is a logistical nightmare that is beyond comprehension," Brafman told The New York Post.
Brafman denied that Arabov was in on the money laundering scheme in court papers.
"As far as he knew, BMF Entertainment, as well as its owners and its artists, were up-and-coming in hip-hop," Brafman wrote to the judge.
BMF was founded by brothers Terry and Demetrius "Meech" Flenory in the mid 1980's.
In October 2005, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested over 30 members BMF and seized over $3 million in money, assets, 2 ½ kilograms of cocaine and weapons.
Prior to the October raids, DEA officers had seized almost 650 kilograms of cocaine and $11 million in money and assets.
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