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As reported by WFLA, longtime Florida marriage ceremony photographer Michael Zoumberos spent almost a 12 months in jail for civil contempt as a result of he refused to cooperate with federal investigators regarding a significant DEA scandal that included Zoumberos’ brother, former DEA agent George Zoumberos. Earlier than discussing what Michael Zoumberos skilled, it’s important to debate what led to the skilled photographer with 20 years of expertise being concerned with federal regulation enforcement within the first place. Disgraced DEA Agent José Irizarry Leaves Wake of Destruction and Tales on his Path to Jail In December 2021, Miami-based DEA particular agent, José Irizarry, was sentenced to 12 years for working a cash laundering and fraud scheme. Irizarry, who was 46 on the time, pleaded responsible to all crimes in his 19-count indictment, together with conspiracy to commit cash laundering, trustworthy providers wire fraud, financial institution fraud, and aggravated identification theft. Per Irizarry’s plea, his crimes started in 2010. Irizarry used his place as a particular agent within the DEA to maneuver about $9 million in funds used for undercover DEA cash laundering schemes to complement himself and co-conspirators. Irizarry additionally used his place to obtain bribes and kickbacks value at the least $1 million. Unsurprisingly, the USA Division of Justice wished to carry further folks to justice. In spite of everything, Irizarry didn’t act alone. Irizarry’s Former Accomplice, George Zoumberos, Implicated Throughout Investigation Through the probe into José Irizarry, regulation enforcement checked out one among Irizarry’s former companions, George Zoumberos, the brother of photographer Michael Zoumberos.
“The probe is targeted partly on George Zoumberos, one among Irizarry’s former companions who traveled abroad extensively for cash laundering investigations. Irizarry instructed AP that Zoumberos loved unfettered entry to so-called fee funds and improperly tapped that cash for private purchases and unwarranted journeys, utilizing names of folks that didn’t exist in DEA studies justifying the excesses,” wrote the Related Press late final 12 months. Irizarry says quite a few DEA colleagues joined him in his exploits, together with on extravagant journeys worldwide. “The way in which Irizarry tells it, dozens of different federal brokers, prosecutors, informants and in some circumstances cartel smugglers themselves have been all in on the three-continent joyride referred to as ‘Group America’ that selected cities for cash laundering pick-ups largely for celebration functions or to coincide with Actual Madrid soccer or Rafael Nadal tennis matches. That included stops alongside the way in which in VIP rooms of Caribbean strip joints, Amsterdam’s red-light district and aboard a Colombian yacht that launched with loads of booze and greater than a dozen prostitutes,” explains AP. Irizarry stated that the USA’ battle on medication is unwinnable and that brokers know they’re “not making a distinction.” Whereas his claims might have been a part of a play to get a lowered jail sentence or simply additional smear the DEA’s picture, U.S. Justice Division took Irizarry’s confessions and claims very severely and has spent appreciable effort making an attempt to corroborate or disprove Irizarry’s many assertions. George Zoumberos, who was arrested and briefly detained in reference to allegations of sexual assault in Madrid in 2018, misplaced his gun, badge, and safety clearance in 2019 for invoking his Fifth Modification rights to not self-incriminate.
Federal Investigators Subpoena Photographer Michael Zoumberos and he Pleads the Fifth Authorities remained desirous about George Zoumberos and subpoenaed his brother, photographer Michael Zoumberos. Michael, who allegedly traveled at occasions with DEA brokers, was supplied immunity in change for cooperation with the investigation. Nevertheless, he refused to testify, resulting in his imprisonment within the Pinellas County Jail outdoors Tampa starting in March 2022. “I didn’t do something incorrect, however I’m not going to speak about my brother,” Michael Zoumberos instructed AP throughout a jailhouse interview final 12 months. “I’m principally being held as a political prisoner of the FBI. They need to coerce me into cooperating.” Zoumberos was held for “civil contempt,” as dominated by a Tampa-area federal decide. Regardless of the DOJ providing him immunity, Zoumberos’ legal professional suggested that he plead the fifth as a result of Zoumberos may inadvertently commit perjury whereas on the stand. The investigation involved occasions that dated again about six years, so his legal professional was involved that Zoumberos may misremember or misspeak. It’s value noting that the DOJ defines perjury as a declarant “willfully” making a false assertion, that the declarant believed that what they have been saying was unfaithful, and that the assertion was associated to a fabric truth. Misremembering a element just isn’t, in and of itself, perjury. Civil Contempt as a Judicial Weapon In any case, Michael Zoumberos saved his silence, and federal judges used their authorized authority towards him to strain his cooperation. Federal judges can maintain people in jail for as much as 18 months on civil contempt fees to compel an individual’s testimony.
“Zoumberos stated the ordeal left him questioning the judicial system, even when the decide had the facility to lock him up,” studies WFLA in a second article. “They’re treating me like a felony. I didn’t do something incorrect,” Zoumberos says. “I’m in a room with out an legal professional, and not using a decide. It’s scary.” Federal investigators determined to launch Michael Zoumberos in March, however Zoumberos solely realized that he may depart when his jail-issued debit card didn’t work when he tried to make a cellphone name from inside jail. When Zoumberos requested a correctional officer why his card was not working, he was instructed it was as a result of he was free. “Zoumberos’ nightmare ended as oddly because it began,” writes WFLA. Whereas completely happy to be launched, he has discovered it onerous to flee his expertise. One fellow inmate was satisfied Zoumberos was an undercover cop and threatened to “bash” his “cranium in.” Whereas held with out bail, Zoumberos couldn’t see his spouse and enterprise associate, Rebecca Zoumberos. Michael Zoumberos is Free however Jail has Left a Mark “I don’t know what’s actuality and what’s not,” Zoumberos remarks. “I by no means may fathom that you can be put in jail for a 12 months. In most safety and a psych ward with out having a felony cost.” Michael Zoumberos’ brother, George, was by no means charged and is not a DEA agent. A fast have a look at the Zoumberos’ marriage ceremony images web site, Limelight Pictures, reveals that the couple and their employees have had a busy summer season.
Picture credit: Header picture licensed through Depositphotos.
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