BOSTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Massachusetts), published as received.
BOSTON – Two brothers were arrested today and charged in connection with attempting to extort the co-owner of a suboxone clinic in Quincy and embezzling money from the clinic.
David Tkhilaishvili, 36, and Jambulat Tkhilaishvili, 46, both of Taunton, were indicted on one count of conspiring to extort and one count of attempted extortion. David Tkhilaishvili was also indicted on two counts of embezzlement. Both men were arrested this morning and will appear this afternoon in U.S. District Court in Boston.
According to the indictment, in 2014, the brothers approached the co-owner of a Quincy suboxone clinic and asked him to invest in a new suboxone clinic. The Tkhilaishvili brothers claimed to have many years of experience in running medical clinics, including suboxone clinics. To convince the victim to invest, the Tkhilaishvilis allegedly promised to repay the victim 50% of his investment in the clinic within five years if the business failed, with 5% interest per year, in the event that the victim did not recover his investment in the clinic. In December 2014, the victim agreed to invest in the clinic and, because of the size of his investment, insisted upon significant contractual protections including that he would have full decision making authority over matters involving the clinic. The Tkhilaishvili brothers agreed, however, shortly thereafter, they began to demand that the victim surrender his ownership interest and threatened him and his family with physical injury. One of the brothers allegedly told the victim that he had made nine people and their families, who had a problem with him in the past, disappear. On multiple occasions, both brothers threatened to physically harm the victim and his family and to burn down the clinic if the victim did not comply with their demands. In addition, one of the brothers embezzled approximately $3,500 from the clinic.
The charge of conspiracy to extort and attempted extortion provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of embezzlement provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 on each count. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan of Ortiz’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
