Defendant Attempted to Flee the Jurisdiction Using False Identity Documents to Avoid Trial on Pending Racketeering Charges

ROSLYNN R. MAUSKOPF, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, MARK J. MERSHON, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, and PAUL CRISPI, Federal Security Director, Transportation Security Administration, announced that AMR "ANTHONY" ELGINDY pleaded guilty this afternoon to making false statements, and presenting false identity documents, to the Transportation Security Administration ("TSA") while attempting to travel to San Diego, California, from Long Island MacArthur Airport on April 17, 2004. At the time, ELGINDY was on pre-trial release in connection with pending racketeering charges in this district and was not authorized to travel.

The guilty plea proceedings were held before United States District Judge Raymond J. Dearie at the United States Courthouse in Brooklyn.

In January 2005, ELGINDY and Jeffrey Royer, a former FBI agent, were convicted of racketeering, securities fraud and other crimes in connection with their scheme to steal confidential law enforcement information relating to FBI and Securities and Exchange Commission investigations of various companies, which they used to trade in the stock of those companies and to make millions of dollars in the financial markets.¹

In his guilty plea today, ELGINDY admitted that while released on bail and awaiting trial on racketeering and other charges, he committing additional crimes by lying to TSA officials while attempting to pass through passenger screening. Specifically, ELGINDY admitted using false identification in the name "Herbert Manny Velasco," obtaining an airline ticket in the name "Manny Velasco," and then lying to TSA officials when he was questioned about his identity and occupation. TSA officials questioned ELGINDY after they found approximately $25,000 in cash and nearly $30,000 in jewelry in his luggage. The evidence at ELGINDY's racketeering trial established that his use of the false identification was part of his effort to flee from justice.

This case demonstrates that any defendant who attempts to flee while on pre-trial release will be vigorously prosecuted," stated United States Attorney MAUSKOPF. "Mr. ELGINDY has demonstrated his contempt for the law, and now he must account for his conduct." Ms. MAUSKOPF expressed her grateful appreciation to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Northeast Regional Office, for its assistance in the investigation.

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge MERSHON stated, "Any attempt to flee in order to delay or deny the full administration of justice is a serious mistake on the part of any defendant. The FBI will always dedicate the full measure of its resources, and use its connections with law-enforcement colleagues worldwide, to ensure that any defendant foolish enough to flee is denied sanctuary and returned to a courtroom to face the music."

When sentenced by Judge Dearie, ELGINDY faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment on each of two counts of making false statements to federal officials, an additional ten years imprisonment for committing these crimes while on pre-trial release, a fine of $250,000 on each count, and three years of supervised release. ELGINDY is also awaiting sentencing on his racketeering conviction.

The government's case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth L. Levine and Special Assistant United States Attorney Valerie A. Szczepanik, Senior Trial Attorney, Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Defendant:

AMR "ANTHONY" ELGINDY
DOB: 11/28/67
Metropolitan Correction Center

 

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¹In total, seven defendants have been convicted in the Eastern district of New York in this investigation. In addition to ELGINDY and Royer, Derrick Cleveland was convicted of racketeering, Robert Hanson, Donald Kent Terrell, and Jonathan Daws were convicted of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and former FBI Agent Lynn Wingate was convicted of obstruction of justice.

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