Judge sentences 2 Yassine brothers (Austin) to time in federal prison (updated 2/7/13)

[TexasTowelie]

Last edited Thu Feb 7, 2013, 06:46 AM - Edit history (2)

Two brothers who once ran a downtown Austin nightclub empire were sentenced to time in federal prison this morning following their convictions late last year on money-laundering charges.

U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks ordered Hussein Ali “Mike” Yassine, founder and president of Yassine Enterprises, to spend 12 years and seven months behind bars.

His brother, Hadi Yassine, was given a sentence of five years.

Upon release, they’ll be on probation for three years. There’s also a chance they might be deported, Sparks said.

Continued at http://www.statesman.com/news/news/judge-sentences-2-yassine-brothers/nT6rP/.

Related threads in the Texas Group:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10782446 : State seizes assets from Yassine Enterprises bars (Austin club-owner)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10782182 : Mike Yassine, Marisse Ruales accused of case tampering

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10782140 : Closed clubs leave downtown void--Yassine Enterprises under federal investigation

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10782095 : APD connects Mike Yassine unsolved Austin murder

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10781966 : FBI investigating Yassine Enterprises' businesses

UPDATE: See post #2.

[TexasTowelie]

1. Lawyer for Mike Yassine asks to withdraw from case

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/lawyer-for-mike-yassine-asks-to-withdraw-from-case/nT8qG/#cmComments

The lawyer representing an Austin nightclub operator found guilty of money laundering says the case has left him “$165,000 in the red.”

In newly filed documents, attorney David Botsford seeks to withdraw as counsel for Yassine Enterprises founder and president Hussein Ali “Mike” Yassine, asking U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks to appoint a new lawyer to handle Yassine’s appeal.

Sparks on Friday sentenced Yassine to 12 years and seven months in federal prison following his October 2012 conviction. He also was fined $60,000.

[TexasTowelie]

2. Mike Yassine takes plea deal on tax fraud charges

Former Austin nightclub operator Mike Yassine’s battle with the Internal Revenue Service appears to be over.

In federal court Wednesday afternoon, Yassine, 41, accepted a plea agreement that will bring an end to his prosecution on tax fraud charges.

Indicted in October 2012, Yassine was accused of understating the revenues of some of his nine downtown Austin bars, including Spill, Qua, Kiss & Fly, Pure and Malaia, for three consecutive years.

He’s set to be sentenced within the next two months, according to U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks. The maximum term Yassine could get is three years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

More at http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/mike-yassine-takes-plea-deal-on-tax-fraud-charges/nWHXj/ .