News Release [printer friendly version]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2009

California Attorney Pleads Guilty to Obstruction Charges and
Agrees to Forfeit 12 Properties Related to Money Laundering and
Drug Trafficking Organization

April 1 -- Martin C. Carlson, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Tom George Kontos, age 65, of San Diego, CA, pleaded guilty in federal court before United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to a two-count felony information charging him with criminal conspiracy to obstruct justice and the forfeiture of 12 properties.

According to the U.S. Attorney Carlson, beginning in June 2007 through May 2008, Kontos was involved in the obstruction of a federal investigation into money laundering related to a large-scale drug trafficking organization spread across the country from Carlsbad, California; San Diego, California, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. During the course of the investigation, Kontos, an attorney, provided and advised others to provide, false information to a subpoena issued by the Grand Jury concerning the ownership of property. As part of today’s guilty plea, Kontos has agreed to forfeit 12 properties related to the investigation. These properties include:

• 7353 Gabbiano Lane, Carlsbad, CA;
• 33 West Ontario Street, Suite 55D, Chicago, IL;
• 33 West Ontario Street, Suite 18E, Chicago, IL;
• 3660 North Lake Shore Drive, #2101, Chicago, IL;
• 2000 North Lincoln Park West, #1509, Chicago, IL;
• 33 West Ontario Street, Unit 49D, Chicago, IL;
• 33 West Ontario Street, Unit 42ES, Chicago, IL;
• 345 North LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, IL;
• 450 J Street, Unit 7071, San Diego, CA;
• -8787 East Mount View Road, Unit 2075, Scottsdale, AZ;
• 5353 East Shea Boulevard, Unit 1076, Scottsdale, AZ; and
• 5353 East Shea Boulevard, Unit 2123, Scottsdale, AZ

Kontos also faces a maximum of five years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 for conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Sentencing has been scheduled for January 26, 2009.

This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christy H. Fawcett.

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