Opinion
No. 2: Cr. 10-0327 MCE
09-07-2011
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Plaintiff, v. AKBAR BHAMANI, ET. AL Defendants
R. Steven Lapham Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward W. Swanson Attorney for AKBAR BHAMANI Matthew G. Jacobs Attorney for ZAIN BHAMANI Joseph A. Welch Attorney for KEN SARNA Christopher H. Wing Attorney for ALY BHAMAI Matthew C. Bockmon Attorney for FEROZA BHAMANI Clyde M. Blackmon Attorney for LAILA BHAMANI Richard Pachter Attorney for JOHN PIERRE QUINTANA Bruce C. Locke Attorney for SHAUN BHAMANI
LAW OFFICES OF
WING & PARISI
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
ATTORNEYS FOR: Defendant
STIPULATION AND ORDER
CONTINUING STATUS
CONFERENCE HEARING AND
EXCLUDING TIME FROM
SEPTEMBER 1, 2001 TO
NOVEMBER 17, 2011 AT 9:00 AM
IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by defendants AKBAR BHAMANI, through his counsel, Edward W. Swanson; ZAIN BHAMANI, through his counsel, Matthew G. Jacobs; KEN SARNA, through his counsel, Joseph A. Welch; ALY BHAMANI, through his counsel, Christopher H. Wing; FEROZA BHAMANI, through her counsel, Matthew C. Bockmon; LAILA BHAMAI, through her counsel Clyde M. Blackmon; JOHN PIERRE QUINTANA, hrough his counsel, Richard Pachter; and SHAUN BHAMANI, through his counsel, Bruce Locke; and by the United States of America, through its counsel, Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Steven Lapham, that the status conference now scheduled for September 1, 2011 at 9:00 a.m., be continued to November 17, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.
The defendants were charged by indictment on August 12, 2010, with multiple counts related to mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering allegedly occurring over an approximately two and half year period and involving the operation of a real estate investment and development company. On September 13, 2010 counsel for all defendants received approximately 20,000 pages of discovery. Over 900 pages of additional discovery was received by defense counsel on or about April 14, 2011. Defense counsel have completed an initial review of the discovery materials and are engaged in an ongoing analysis of the factual and legal issues implicated therein.
The factual circumstances in this case are complex, involve multiple real property and investment transactions, include allegations concerning multiple defendants and will require extensive defense investigative efforts, which are currently ongoing. In particular, the defense preparation includes an analysis of relevant financial records and transactions by a defense engaged expert, as well as an analysis of the probable immigration consequences of a conviction or plea in this case.
While many members of the defense and the government have engaged in initial settlement discussions and had anticipated that, prior to September 1, 2011, they would be able to participate in further settlement negotiations and/or discussions about the setting of motions and trial dates, we were informed today that Bruce Locke, of the firm Moss and Locke has been appointed to represent defendant Shaun Bhamani and that Partick K. Hanly has been relieved.
Due to the complex nature of the case and Mr. Locke's recent involvement, the parties agree and hereby stipulate that the status conference currently scheduled on September 1, 2011 be continued to 9:00 a.m. on November 17, 2011, and that the parties appear on that date for the setting of further dates in this matter.
The parties further agree and stipulate that the public interest in a speedy trial is outweighed by the interests of justice, given defense counsel's need for further preparation due to the complexity of the matter as well as the recent substitution of attorney for one of the defendants. Therefore, the parties stipulate pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(B)(ii)and(iv) [Local Code T2, T4] that time shall be excluded from September 1 2011, to November 17, 2011.
IT IS SO STIPULATED.
R. Steven Lapham
Assistant U.S. Attorney
Edward W. Swanson
Attorney for AKBAR BHAMANI
Matthew G. Jacobs
Attorney for ZAIN BHAMANI
Joseph A. Welch
Attorney for KEN SARNA
Christopher H. Wing
Attorney for ALY BHAMAI
Matthew C. Bockmon
Attorney for FEROZA BHAMANI
Clyde M. Blackmon
Attorney for LAILA BHAMANI
Richard Pachter
Attorney for JOHN PIERRE QUINTANA
Bruce C. Locke
Attorney for SHAUN BHAMANI
ORDER CONTINUING STATUS CONFERENCE HEARING AND EXCLUDING TIME
This matter having come before me pursuant to the stipulation of the parties and good cause appearing therefore,
IT IS ORDERED THAT: the status conference hearing now set for September 1, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. is vacated and the matter is set for a status conference hearing on November 17, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.
Further, the Court finds that time is excluded based upon the representation of the parties that the interests of justice outweigh the public interest in a speedy trial, given the need for further defense preparation and the complex nature of the matter as well as the recent substitution of attorney for one of the defendants. Therefore, such time will be excluded pursuant to the Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(B)(ii)and(iv) [Local Code T2, T4], from Septemer 1, 2011 until the next appearance, on November 17, 2011.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
MORRISON C. ENGLAND, JR
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE