Yerevan/Mediamax/. "Big time” Armen Kazarian, known by the nickname "Pzo”, agreed on July 8 to plead guilty of racketeering in the Federal Court of Manhattan, Mediamax reports referring the Russian service of "Voice of America”.

Federal Attorney of the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara informed that 47-year-old Kazarian headed a criminal group, which functioned in Los Angeles and New York. 

“Voice of America” informs that the group was defeated in October, 2010, when over 50 members of the criminal syndicate – mainly of Armenian origin and citizens of that country - were arrested. They were accused of stealing personal data of thousands of doctors and patients, which were used by the criminals in order to extort millions of dollars from Medicare system, which exists for rendering medical aid to elderly people. 

 “Mirzoyan-Terdjanian Organization”, as it is called in the indictment, dealt with fraud, racketeering, stealth of personal data, falsification of credit cards, money laundering, sale of narcotics, extortion, illegal spreading of cigarettes and even counterfeit “Viagra””. 

According to the prosecution, “Mirzoyan-Terdjanian Organization” had created 118 fictive clinics in 25 American states, sending bills to Medicare program for curing people, whose data were stolen, and received over USD 35mln this way. 

“Today, Armen Kazarian pled guilty, becoming the first “big time”, convicted in the USA for racketeering, the Prosecutor said. “He will not be the last. His admission of guilt should become a signal for the international gangsters in the entire world: if you commit a crime in this country, we will find you and will bring to charge to the strictest of the law”. 

However, “Voice of America” notes, to all appearances, Armen Kazarian will be able to avoid strict punishment. According to the terms of the agreement, reached between the Prosecutor’s Office and Kazarian, all the remaining accusations against him will be annulled. Kazarian was facing 20 years of imprisonment; however, according to the terms of the agreement, he faces 30-37 months of imprisonment and a fine at the volume of USD 6-60 thousand. The big time also agreed to confiscation of property, gained illegally, including a house in Glendale, the cost of which makes USD 600 thousand according to the Prosecutor’s Office.  

The agreement, signed by Kazarian, also reads that, not being a citizen of the USA, he admits the “high likelihood” of being deported from the country. 

The verdict will be announced on October 6 by Judge Paul Gardephe. 

Armen Kazarian’s interests are represented by famous Californian Lawyer Mark Geragos, who participated in a few loud processes previously. Among his customers there were many Hollywood celebrities, including Michael Jackson.