Two Brothers Convicted of Attempted Extortion and Embezzlement of Suboxone Clinic

BOSTON – Two brothers were convicted today in connection with the attempted extortion and conspiracy to extort the co-owner of a suboxone clinic in Quincy and embezzling money from the clinic.

David Tkhilaishvili, 36, and Jambulat Tkhilaishvili, 46, both of Taunton, were convicted following a five-day trial of one count of conspiring to extort and one count of attempted extortion. David Tkhilaishvili was also convicted of two counts of embezzlement. U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Aug. 14, 2017.

In 2014, the brothers approached the co-owner of a Quincy suboxone clinic and asked him to invest in a new suboxone clinic. The defendants claimed to have many years of experience in running medical clinics, including suboxone clinics. To convince the victim to invest, the defendants promised to repay the victim 50% of his investment in the clinic within five years if the business failed, with 5% interest per year, in the event that the victim did not recover his investment in the clinic. In December 2014, the victim agreed to invest in the clinic and, because of the size of his investment, insisted upon significant contractual protections, including that he would have full decision making authority over matters involving the clinic. The defendants agreed; however, shortly thereafter, the defendants began to demand that the victim surrender his ownership interest and, on multiple occasions, threatened him and his family with physical injury. One of the defendants told the victim that he had made nine people and their families, who had a problem with him in the past, disappear. Both defendants claimed to live the life of outlaws who associated with thieves-in-law. In addition, both of the defendants threatened physical harm to the victim and his family and to burn down the clinic if the victim did not comply with their demands. One of the defendants embezzled approximately $3,500 from the clinic.

The charge of conspiracy to extort and attempted extortion provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of embezzlement provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan of Weinreb’ s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.