SDNY COURTHOUSE, Oct 1 – A man
convicted of securities fraud in 2017 after a one-week
trial, the first day of which he did not show up for until
brought in by the U.S. Marshals and remanded, was back in
court on October 1. Indicted now for a
"fraudulent watch scheme" including impersonating a
Federal Officer, allegedly forging an email to make it
appear to be from a Probation Officer, the US Attorney's
Office for the Southern District of New York sought
detention. Inner City Press as the only media there live
tweeted the bail hearing, here:
AUSA: The Government is seeking detention.
Risk of flight. In 2017 he was convicted of insider
trading - he fled on the day of trial. Judge Engelmayer
issued a bench warrant. He refused to put on court attire.
He was remanded. Here, he defrauded at least 5
AUSA: He said he could sell cheap luxury
watches but needs money because he was on Probation. He
forged Probation's letter, and told a victim he was in the
Judge's chambers and the Judge wanted the money sent by
wire transfer
CJA defense lawyer: He went to Cornell...
The victims here are long time acquaintances of his, they
are classmates. He started at Cornell in 2012. Who knows
if the original date of the crime was during his period of
supervised release
CJA defense counsel: My client was sued
civilly by these people, in Miami and here in Manhattan.
Let me gather my thoughts... The intimidation? It's like
any civil case, there were negotiations about returning
the money. He could live with his sister on E 95 St
Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo: I order
you detained.
Defendant: This was a deal with college
friends. With respect to Judge Engelmayer. I had a court
appointed lawyer. No communications. I thought the trial
was later. Judge Engelmayer didn't believe me
Defendant: The motel, it's a family owned
motel. I wasn't running. I have done hours of research. I
am not a flight risk. I know the facts of this case. I
need to be with my lawyer to move this case forward. There
was no intimidation, it was texts
Judge Figueredo: I hear you but I have a record that you lied to Judge Engelmayer. I am going to rely on him. You are detained
[The "watch scheme' is described in a 40+
page civil complaint in NYS court, now on Patreon here]
The Federal criminal case is USA v.
Afriyie, 1:26-cr-453 (Cote / Figueredo)