Trial for grocery store magnate underway in federal court
From the Associated Press:
LOS ANGELES--A grocery store magnate ordered the killing of rivals, bribed public officials and hired illegal immigrants to bolster and protect his business, a prosecutor in a racketeering trial said Wednesday.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Searight told jurors during his opening statement that George Torres ran his Numero Uno supermarkets like a criminal enterprise, skimming from store profits and taking revenge on those who crossed him.
Torres and his brother Manuel Torres were part of a group "that used violence, including murder, force, bribery and alien harboring to protect and further their business," Searight said.
The evidence against the brothers includes wiretapped conversations and testimony from former employees and gang members, the prosecutor said.
George Torres, 52, has pleaded not guilty to more than 50 counts, including racketeering, mail and wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the federal government.
Manuel Torres, 55, has pleaded not guilty to three counts, including racketeering and conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens.
If convicted of all counts, they could each face life in prison. The government also is seeking the forfeiture of tens of millions of dollars.
George Torres has been portrayed by prosecutors as a greedy, calculating businessman who used street justice to help his cause
CONTRIBUTORS
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
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