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Court dismisses 11 of 17 charges vs 6 defendants in CW-1 scam case
The federal court dismissed yesterday 11 of 17 charges filed against six persons who allegedly engaged in a CW-1 scam that victimized Bangladeshi nationals.
U.S. District Court for the NMI designated Judge John C. Coughenour dismissed two counts of mail fraud filed against Muksedur Rahman and MD. Rafiqul Islam, and one count of mail fraud against Shainur Akter.
The judge also dismissed nine charges of fraud in foreign labor contracting.
In addition, Coughenour dismissed one count of fraud and misuse of visas and permits.
The U.S. government, which made the motion to dismiss, was allowed to amend the charging document.
Assistant U.S. attorney James J. Benedetto moved for dismissal of the 11 charges, saying this would better streamline its case presentation as well as its opening and closing arguments.
Benedetto said the proposed amendments will make the superseding indictment understandable in light of the dismissals.
Defense lawyers did not oppose the U.S. government’s motion to dismiss and to amend the superseding indictment.
The amended superseding indictment charged Rahman with two counts of mail fraud and three counts of fraud in foreign labor contracting; Islam with one count of mail fraud and three counts of fraud in foreign labor contracting; Zeaur Rahman Dalu with one count of mail fraud and two counts of fraud in foreign labor contracting.
The trial will be on Aug. 15, 2017.
