'OSTRICH' CHARGES DENIED.Byline: Karen Maeshiro Staff Writer LITTLEROCK - A Littlerock man entered a plea of not guilty to charges he solicited more than $800,000 for raising ostriches but spent investors' money on a vacation and the production of a Weird Al Yankovic concert, among other things. Howard Irving Dr. Howard Irving (born July 4, 1936 in Providence, Rhode Island) is widely recognized as one of the world's leading experts in family mediation and family therapy. With over 35 years experience as a practicing therapist and family mediator, Dr. Freiberg, 42, promoted ostrich ostrich, common name for a large flightless bird (Struthio camelus) of Africa and parts of SW Asia, allied to the rhea, the emu and the extinct moa. It is the largest of living birds; some males reach a height of 8 ft (244 cm) and weigh from 200 to 300 lb meat and his investment opportunity on news broadcasts and television talk shows, including a show hosted by Tammy Faye Bakker, federal officials said. ``He is alleged to have defrauded investors with regard to purchases of ostriches,''' Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela Johnston said. ``He partially spent money on other things. The indictment alleges a few things, including personal vacations and expenses, the promotion of a (Yankovic) concert.'' Freiberg pleaded not guilty Monday in U.S. District Court. His trial date is April 25. Freiberg's attorney, Edward Robinson Edward Robinson is the name of:
``I haven't obtained discovery,'' Robinson said. Freiberg lived in Torrance during the time the government accuses him of committing the fraud. The operation stopped in 1997, after an FBI search following complaints from investors, prosecutors said. A federal grand jury in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. indicted INDICTED, practice. When a man is accused by a bill of indictment preferred by a grand jury, he is said to be indicted. him Jan. 27 on 12 counts of mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud. Freiberg surrendered last week in Los Angeles and was released on $100,000 bond, officials said. Federal officials said some cooperatives set up by Freiberg owned a small number of ostriches but not the number represented to investors. The cooperatives' ostriches were on a ranch in Texas. Some investors bought individual birds, which were in the Santa Ynez Valley The Santa Ynez Valley is located in Santa Barbara County, California, between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the San Rafael Mountains. The Santa Ynez River flows through the valley from east to west. , prosecutors said. The government accused Freiberg of concealing his fraudulent business operations, in part, by purchasing ostrich meat and selling it to restaurants. |
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