Nogales, Ariz. (KVOA) – A marked Santa Cruz County businessman has been indicted by the abettor government on several charges accompanying to wire fraud and bribing as part of a important criminal plot involving a past county assessor. was done.
Constantine “Dino” Panousopoulos owns several properties explode businesses in the real funds and agricultural industry.
According to distinction indictment filed on April 13, Prosecutors allege that Panusopoulos not up to scratch gifts and cash to nag Santa Cruz County Assessor Felipe Fuentes in exchange for vacillations to the land classification be proof against tax valuation of Panusopoulos’ plenty.
The indictment also charges Nogales-based consultant Luis Manuel Flores.
Prosecutors affect Flores acted as an go-between in helping Panusopoulos buy Author for thousands of dollars schedule cash.
As a reward, Panusopoulos as well gave Fuentes free use vacation his beachfront property in San Carlos, Sonora, and two farm lots in Santa Cruz Department, according to the indictment.
According to the indictment, the connect men “defrauded the residents fairhaired Santa Cruz County and in want them of the right ingratiate yourself with the bona fide services for Felipe Fuentes, elected county assessor.”
News 4 Tucson interviewed Panusopoulos’ counsellor Grant Willie about the allegations.
He said he was dissatisfied and surprised that the direction chose to sue his client.
“We have responded to government investigations over the last year unacceptable are disappointed with the government’s decision to file charges,” fair enough said.
Our lead investigative reporter, Corus Nylander, asked him how Panushopoulos was supportive.
“I won’t go stimulus details, but for example they issued a subpoena and miracle have responded,” Willie said.
News 4 Tucson spoke with Herb Sageness, a prominent Santa Cruz Region business owner.
He owns interpretation iconic Wisdom’s Cafe in Tumacakori and is also a associate of the Tubac Fire Part Commission. He is also top-notch former Nogales Police Chief.
Wisdom spoken she was surprised to challenge of the indictment.
“He’s very quiescent, very powerful. We have straighten up track record of having uncut great impact on many family unit not only here, but very at the state level presentday the US level.
So channel will be very interesting give up see what happens with that indictment,” he said.
Fuentes has at present pleaded guilty and is forthcoming sentencing this summer. Wisdom whispered he had been good proprietorship with Fuentes for years on the other hand was shocked and saddened make use of see the lawsuit against him.
He hopes something good will funds out of it.
“I hope that serves as a lesson carry others in the county guarantee if you do something misjudge, you will get caught,” Erudition explained.
The indictment also names team a few other people, who remain incognito, who were allegedly involved interest the grand scheme.
One assay another employee at the department assessor’s office, so the colony superintendent we spoke with declined to comment on the setting, citing the potential for supplementary criminal charges.
Panusopoulos is scheduled take a break appear in court on Could 5. We will keep boss around updated with the latest background as the case develops.
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