In preparation for this morning's bail hearing for Genaro Garcia Luna, prosecutors say he should not released. Since GGL was arrested in December, prosecutors say they have found additional witnesses to support the charge that he took millions in bribes from the Sinaloa cartel. 
Prosecutors also suggest there's an incentive for other "corrupt Mexican officials" to help him flee in order to avoid "public disclosure of these criminal acts at trial."
The Brooklyn prosecutors also say that GGL's claim of financial hardship "strains credulity." A DEA investigation, they say, has revealed that GGL has multiple real estate holdings worth nearly $4 million.
GGL, they say, has hidden his assets by using "shell companies and straw purchasers." In October 2012, they claim, the used a company in Florida to push a 5,099 square foot home in Golden Beach for more than $3 million--and paid in cash.
Moreover, prosecutors say some GGL's assets came thru a company in Panama. They are concerned about his ties to the Sinaloa cartel, "a sophisticated criminal organization well versed in techniques to disguise the movement of significant illicit funds."
GGL had asked to be released on $1 million bond co-signed by 3 others. But the prosecutors now say 2 of those people don't want to sign the bond. The third, they say, is one of GGL's former employees whose own income isn't sufficient to cover the bond.
The bail hearing for Genaro Garcia Luna is over. He has been sent back to jail for now because of confusion over who would or wouldn't sign his bond. His lawyer will be putting together a new bail package soon. The govt says no package is good enough and still opposes his release
GGL's lawyer, Cesar de Castro, questioned the govt's central premise that GGL should not be released b/c "corrupt Mexican officials" have an incentive to help him flee the US. De Castro wanted to know who those corrupt officials were.
Frankly, so do the rest of us.
Frankly, so do the rest of us.
De Castro told the judge that no one in the Mexican govt has come forward to assist GGL.
"We've seen the opposite," he said. "We have seen people distancing themselves from him."
"We've seen the opposite," he said. "We have seen people distancing themselves from him."
What now?
GGL's lawyers will look for different people to sign his bond or make sure those who initially agreed to sign it will in fact do so.
The govt can question these people to ensure they're good candidates.
Then the real question of "risk of flight" will be dealt with.
GGL's lawyers will look for different people to sign his bond or make sure those who initially agreed to sign it will in fact do so.
The govt can question these people to ensure they're good candidates.
Then the real question of "risk of flight" will be dealt with.
