WHITE PLAINS, NY – New Rochelle businessman Salim “Sam” Zherka was deemed to be a “Flight Risk” and “Danger to the Community”. His lawyers request for bail was denied by Judge Cathy Seibel.
Dozens of friends and family gasped as the decision was announced. Outside the courtroom Zherka’s children wept.
Ever defiant, Zherka turned and gave a military-style salute towards the gallery as U.S. Marshall escorted him out of the courtroom.
To a large extent prosecutors laid out their case in today’s detention hearing.
Many people connected to Zerkha were accused of being a subject of the investigation including those that offer to put up your homes for bail and people working for Zerkha including attorneys and private investigators.
Federal prosecutors claimed that potential witnesses and co-conspirators in the case were “deathly afraid” of Zerkha, that they or their parents or lived ones would be killed if the cooperated. The claim was greeted by laughter from the galley prompting a warn from Judge Seibel.