Trial Opens for Iranians in Alleged Extortion Ring
Five men accused of being part of an extortion ring that preyed on fellow Iranians were on a “quest” for power and money when they forced their way into ownership of two businesses, a prosecutor said Monday.
During her opening statement in the Los Angeles Superior Court trial of the five men, Deputy Dist. Atty. Michelle Rosenblatt said part owners of two businesses--an Encino nightclub and a downtown Los Angeles fast-food restaurant--were threatened with violence if they did not give up their shares of the businesses.
Charged with extortion and assault in the case are Masieh Pourahmad, 42; Kazem Lavasani, 43; Mansour Bagheri, 47; Jahangir Zahedi, 43, and his brother, Faramarz Zahedi, 36. All five men, who live in the San Fernando Valley, have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The extortions allegedly took place between 1989 and this year, Rosenblatt said. The men were indicted by a Los Angeles grand jury earlier this year.
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