you said that you would try to post Mr. Elgindy's handwritten explanation regarding the airport arrest and the fake identification
This all came about after he pled to the federal charges. I didn't realize he faced state charges so naturally it was not in Tony's best interest to say anything more in an official manner. I'm sure he'll have something to say afterwards.
Is this not essentially the same jewelry that was seized from his office when he was arrested in 2002?
That is my understanding.
---
Re: Flying to San Diego two days earlier to be able to walk across to Mexico unmonitored
I agree that this is the most reasonable scenario-- if Tony were indeed trying to flee. To figure out if this is the most likely scenario in general, one has to consider *both* logistics and mindset.
Logistically, the use of a fake ID in an attempt to flee would obviously imply premeditation. I think it safe to say there are many more “safer” ways to flee the country than by using a fake ID out of post 9-11 NY. For example, Tony could have used his real name, met his family on a layover in Phoenix, and then crossed over to Mexico from there. Then, of course, there’s Canada, as well as flying direct to a foreign country. More simply, like many people have done, he could have snipped off his anklet and been in Mexico before anyone could even react.
As for mindset, which I consider much more important for how to tip the scales, one would have to presume there was some trigger event that would make him flee. Given even after his conviction that Tony feels he has a good explanation for his actions, I find it totally in keeping with his personality that he had complete confidence he would prevail in court. Add to that all the money he had spent on attorneys fees, the traveling he did as his own PI, the many months of hardship preparing for trial in NY, and all the things Attorney Berke stressed in court (e.g. Tony had just finished his house and had a big pool party, had just paid $350K in taxes, etc.), and it would have to have been something pretty catastrophic for him to want to flee. Give that the government *never* raised such an issue, I think it reasonable to assume there was none. The only thing that was catastrophic was using the fake ID to fly – for any reason -- in the first place.
Anyhow, I think I’ve said all I can say on this subject here. Like I said, I presume Tony will have something “official” to say as well once he’s past the “what you say can and will be used against you” period.
- Jeff |
