United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

MAN ARRESTED AT MOHEGAN SUN INDICTED ON COUNTERFEITING CHARGE

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LIEM LE LUONG, age 34, a citizen of Vietnam and a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States, has been charged with possession of counterfeit obligations. On February 26, 2004, a federal grand jury sitting in Hartford returned a one-count Indictment against LUONG. LUONG appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford this morning and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to documents filed in court and statements at the court hearing, on December 15, 2003, LUONG was arrested at the Mohegan Sun Casino on the basis of an outstanding arrest warrant for a supervised release violation in the District of Maine. A routine search of his person revealed possession of a counterfeit $50 note. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed 4,377 counterfeit $20 notes and 272 counterfeit $50 notes.

United States Attorney O'Connor emphasized that the arrests and federal charges are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent under the law and it will be the Government's burden to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at the time of trial.

LUONG faces a maximum term of 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Jury selection has been scheduled for May 13, 2004 before United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford.

The case is being investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service with assistance provided by the Connecticut State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deborah R. Slater.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov