By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Defense attorneys Monday argued to suppress evidence of money laundering against relatives of the so-called Lackawanna Six.
Mohamed Albanna, a prominent Yemeni-American businessman, his brother and a cousin are charged with illegally sending money to Yemen. More than $100,000 was allegedly transferred during 2002 through Albanna's business account. Defense attorney Herbert Greenman called the government's case a fishing expedition.
"There's never been any allegation that the money was coming from or going to any improper individual," Greenan said.
Albanna and the other two men say they were sending money home to their family in Yemen. But prosecutors allege the money was falsely transferred using Albanna's Queen City Cigarette and Candy wholesale business. The case is based on evidence seized from intercepted packages and wire taps conducted over several months in 2002. Greenman says everything should be thrown out because there was no search warrant for the seized packages.
Arguments continue on the suppression motions next month. No terrorist ties were found or alleged in the government's case against the men. Greenman says the government may have been looking for a financial connection to the so-called Lackawanna Six.
The men face between five and ten years in prison if eventually convicted at trial on the money laundering charges.