Jeweller 'wants stars to testify in money-laundering case'
The jeweller to the stars accused of money-laundering in the US reportedly wants celebrity customers including David Beckham to testify for the defence at his trial.
Along with the LA-bound footballer, Jacob Arabo is calling on rappers Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jay-Z, plus singer Mariah Carey, to give evidence supporting him, a source told The New York Post.
Lawyers for “Jacob the Jeweller” detailed their strategy and a list of stars they intend to call in a sealed submission to a judge in Detroit, the newspaper said.
Arabo is accused of laundering profits for a Detroit-based alleged drug gang called the Black Mafia Family by accepting cash for jewellery without reporting the transactions properly.
His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, refused to comment to the Post on specific witnesses.
He said celebrity clients were being asked to testify about the jeweller’s good character and how “they themselves made substantial purchases in cash from Mr Arabov and all the money was handled properly“.
Mr Brafman is trying to get the case thrown out.
If he fails he wants the trial to be moved to New York, which is home to many of the famous potential witnesses.
“Trying to co-ordinate flying them into Detroit is a logistical nightmare that is beyond comprehension,” the lawyer said.
Other high-profile fans of Arabo’s lavish creations, which have earned him the nickname King of Bling, include Elton John.
The jeweller, a 41-year-old Russian immigrant whose real name is Yakov Arabov, was arrested at his shop in Manhattan in June.
His company, Jacob & Co, said the charges of conspiring with others to launder money in connection with a jewellery business stemmed from a misunderstanding and it believed they would be dropped.
