Businessman Guilty in Money Laundering
- Share via
A businessman has been convicted in federal court in Los Angeles of laundering $24 million through Santa Barbara-area banks for an organization prosecutors contended was run by a reputed Orange County drug kingpin.
U.S. District Judge A. Andrew Hauk said he found Stefan von Metzger’s explanation for the source of the money “poppycock” after the 65-year-old Santa Barbara businessman was found guilty on 36 counts.
The defense had contended the money in question came from a plastics-manufacturing business owned by von Metzger’s brother-in-law in Venezuela and brought into the United States legally to purchase supplies.
“I’ve never seen such a bunch of baldfaced lies,” Hauk said. “It’s incredible. I feel sorry for Mr. von Metzger that he got mixed up in this thing.”
Sentencing was set for June 12. Von Metzger was allowed to remain free on $600,000 bail.
Assistant U.S. Atty. John Gordon contended von Metzger laundered money for an organization run by suspected drug kingpin Jose Miller, once of Mission Viejo and now a fugitive.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
