McGuireWoods terminates Howard "Toby" Vick Jr. over corruption

 McGuireWoods disavows long term partner Howard "Toby" Vick over corruption involving international fugitive.

McGuireWoods law firm has terminated and disavowed one of its most distinguished partners, Howard C. Vick Jr., over deep state corruption allegations spanning over twenty years.

Inside sources at McGuireWoods have stated that Howard "Toby" Vick had been involved in corruption allegations in a FBI complaint filed, which involved bribery, coercion, illegal state and federal government activity, and numerous legal ethics violations.

McGuireWoods law firm is one of the largest firms internationally with over twenty-one offices and 1100 lawyers.

Since joining McGuireWoods, his practice includes all aspects of the white collar practice, from providing counsel on compliance programs, conducting internal investigations and audits, to the handling of trials. Toby has 32 years of trial experience and has tried more than 60 jury trials. He has tried cases in Federal courts in the Eastern and Western District of Virginia, the Southern Districts of Florida and Texas, the District of Louisiana and the State Courts of Virginia.

The complaints originate from a case that Howard Vick had investigated and brought grand jury charges against an international fugitive who was indicted on thirteen indictments of drug trafficking in Richmond, Virginia.  

Howard Vick was the Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney handling the fugitives case in 1998-1999. Howard Vick had tipped off the fugitive that he was being indicted by a multi-jurisdictional grand jury for conspiring to distribute 600 kilos of cocaine over a 10 year period. 

The fugitive named in the grand jury indictments is Nickolas G. Spanos, who fled to Greece and has been protected by Howard Vick and other high profile McGuireWoods partners, for over twenty years.

James B. Comey, a prior McGuireWoods partner, was a U.S. Attorney based in Richmond, had allegedly conspired with Howard Vick to have federal Unlawful Flight warrants dismissed secretly against the fugitive, which allowed him to renew his U.S. passport and evade law authorities.

The foundation of the illegal protection of the fugitive spans over twenty years and has been passed down through three generations of Henrico county Commonwealth attorneys. 

During the term of Howard Vick's career as a Commonwealth attorney, the investigation of the international fugitive Nickolas Spanos came into conflict with Howard Vick's future plans to join his long time friend, Richard Cullen at McGuireWoods law firm. Howard Vick was negotiating a partnership with McGuireWoods but Nickolas Spanos and his family were clients of McGuireWoods with estate holdings worth millions.

Howard Vick was left with a devil dealing decision, either arrest and prosecute Nickolas Spanos for conspiracy to distribute over 600 kilos of cocaine in the Richmond area or assist and protect the fugitive from being extradited back to the United States and be prosecuted in Henrico County Circuit Court.

Howard Vick chose to take the bribe and break his sworn oath as a Virginia Commonwealth attorney, which appears to have paid well economically, as Vick has built a small fortune at McGuireWoods and recently bought a home in Windsor farms for $2.2 million, as well as a vacation home in Coral Cables Florida.

As much as the McGuireWoods criminal syndicate has tried to keep the fugitive off the radar, his case continues to live in Henrico Circuit court.  With no effort from past and present Commonwealth attorneys to successfully extradite Spanos but instead continue the protection by McGuireWoods, even recently as 2019, assisting Spanos to obtain a U.S. passport.

Its no wonder that McGuireWoods is known as the shadow government with powerful connections in all branches of the U.S. government.

International fugitive drug case could bring career ending problems for Shannon Taylor

Virginia Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor et al, faces serious problems for 2019

The 20 year old case of an international fugitive accused of distributing more than 600 kilos of cocaine in the Richmond area could bring career ending sanctions and criminal charges for Henrico County Commonwealth Attorneys Shannon Taylor and Michael Feinmel.

Virginia Corrupt Lawyers was able to obtain a December 19, 2018 filing which demanded sanctions and investigations into HCCA office and the Henrico County Circuit Clerks office, stating criminal actions, Constitutional and Civil rights violations.

READ PDF SANCTIONS-INVESTIGATION

Deputy Commonwealth Attorney Michael Y. Feinmel is accused of perjury, submitting false evidence and witnesses in his July 21, 2014 affidavit requesting extradition from Greece for the international fugitive Nickolas Spanos, he is also accused of Constitutional and Civil rights violations, which is a federal crime under U.S. Sec. 242 of Title 18, violation of the Color of Law.

A long list of prosecutorial misconduct, blatant disregard for the rules and procedures of the Virginia Supreme Court and the Department of Justice procedures is stated in the sanctions filings.

Crucial missing documents and orders are missing from the Henrico County Circuit Court Clerks office. Staff in the Henrico County Circuit Courts office have verified that crucial motions and orders are missing from their files which have been recorded on their database management system.

A hearing date for the Motion to Dismiss with Prejudice the 13 grand jury indictments is scheduled for January 17, 2019 in Henrico County Circuit Court by Judge L.A. Harris.

Copies of the complaint have been filed with the Virginia State Bar, in which Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor sits on the Legal Ethics Committee and was the 1st woman to be elected to the Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney position.

More serious accusations of personal and professional gain are stated in the complaint filed, in which Henrico County Circuit Court Judge L. A. Harris will decide if and what sanctions will be imposed, more serious is if Judge L.A. Harris will turn over the sanction filed to federal authorities for investigation.

CA Shannon Taylor and Michael Feinmel inherited the international fugitives case from ex-HCCA Howard Vick and Wade Kizer. The highly peculiar case continues to raise many suspicions on why the Henrico County Commonwealth Attorneys office has avoided to extradite the international fugitive. Howard Vick is a partner with McGuireWoods law firm, the same law firm who represented the accused drug dealer for over 25 years.

The irregular actions of three generations of HCCA, amounting to over 20 years, have given a strong basis for dismissing 13 grand jury indictments against the accused drug dealer.

Present HCCA Shannon Taylor is scheduled to represent the Democratic party in the 2019 Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney elections slated for November 2019, but her chances seem to be extinguished with the illegal actions involving the Nickolas Spanos case.

It is uncomprehendable of why would 3 generations of HCCA would be giving safe haven to an international fugitive from being extradited, violating their sworn oath, risking their professional careers and possibly being charged with felonies.

McGuireWoods Shadow government exposed in Richmond court filing

NIGHTMARES CONTINUE FOR VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY SHANNON TAYLOR

The day has come that Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor has been having nightmares about, on September 26, 2018, "International Fugitive" Nickolas Spanos has filed his "Motion to Dismiss with Prejudice" thirteen indictments for conspiracy to distribute cocaine dating back from 1998-1999. In his motion, he has exposed the "shadow government" that has controlled the Virginia justice system for at least 20 years and has put 3 generations of Henrico Prosecutors in the hot seat.

In his 300 page motion to dismiss the thirteen indictments, 240 pages are exhibits of evidence exposing the McGuireWoods "shadow government" controlling the Henrico Commonwealth Attorneys office, which done its best to keep the "international fugitive" from being prosecuted in the Henrico County courts, for allegedly distributing over 600 kilos of cocaine in the Richmond for over ten years. 

The motion to dismiss is highly unusual in many ways:

• The thirteen grand jury indictments are from 1998-99, twenty years old.

• The Defendant is acting Pro Se, representing himself.

• The Defendant is located in Greece and has filed his motion to be heard by video and audio conference.

• The Defendant has offered numerous times to turn himself in to U.S. DOJ officials and voluntarily be extradited to Virginia to face trial but HCCA Shannon Taylor refused to pay for his flight.

• The Defendant had been arrested in the Philippines in 2012 and was awaiting extradition for 19 months but HCCA Shannon Taylor refused to file an extradition request and the fugitive was sent back to his safe haven of Greece.

The original HCCA Howard "Toby" Vick, who claimed that Spanos was the "hub of an organization that distributed over 600 kilos of cocaine", had the sole responsibility to bring the fugitive to justice but betrayed his sworn duty to the Commonwealth of Virginia in order to get his "golden ticket" with McGuireWoods law firm. Until now, his "bribe" has paid off well, Howard Vick co-heads of the firm's white collar practice of McGuireWoods largest office out of 26 offices located internationally. CLICK TO SEE HOWARD VICK PROFILE

Howard Vick's decision to become deaf and blind as Henrico Chief prosecutor has earned him a mansion in Windsor farms worth over $2,000,000 and a summer home in Coral Cables, Florida.

The evidence of the September 26, 2018 motion exposes the "shadow government" operated by McGuireWoods law firm, the same law firm that represented Nickolas Spanos and his family. During the grand jury hearings, HCCA Howard "Toby" Vick was negotiating his partnership with McGuireWoods law firm and within one year of the last indictments being issued against Spanos, Howard Vick resigned early from the HCCA to join his mentor, Richard Cullen, the managing partner of McGuireWoods law firm.

Evidence of ex-FBI director James B. Comey is entangled in the "shadow government", James Comey was the assistant U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia in 2001, who for no valid reason, voluntarily dismissed the Federal UFAP warrant against Nickolas Spanos. The 13 indictments were still active, there was no logic in dismissing the UFAP warrant, which took Spanos off the national and international criminal database and allowed him to renew his U.S. passport in 2006. James B. Comey was also a McGuireWoods partner prior to his joining the U.S. DOJ. Richard Cullen is also the godfather of one of James Comey's daughters.

The Motion to dismiss is based on the violation of Spanos's Constitutional rights, primarily the Speedy Trial Act of 1974. The evidence submitted shows that there was highly suspicious activity between the Henrico Commonwealths Attorney's office, U.S. Attorney's office (Richmond) and McGuireWoods law firm, concerning their lack of effort to extradite the fugitive despite knowing his exact location. 

For over 20 years, FBI officials in Virginia, Manila, Philippines and Greece had given the Henrico Commonwealth Attorneys exact information about Spanos to have him extradited to Virginia to be prosecuted but HCCA Howard Vick, Wade Kizer and Shannon Taylor refused to take any action, despite Spanos being arrested and detained in the Philippines for over 19 months awaiting extradition.

This unusual case is scheduled to be heard on January 17, 2019 at the Henrico Circuit Court and is one to follow as it will put pressure on the hearing judge to either abide by his sworn duty and uphold the Constitution or fall into the claws of the "shadow government".

McGuireWoods "shadow government" protected by the FBI

Evidence exposed of the McGuireWoods "shadow government" operating in Virginia's justice system is protected by the FBI.

As with any syndicate operating, protection is priority in order for the syndicate to flourish. Whether it be a mafia, gang or even a large law firm, infiltrating the justice system is the "insurance" in case things go wrong and the activity is exposed. To protect their operations or the members of the syndicate, certain tactics are used, either threats, bribes or positions, in any case, the law is being broken. But when the criminal syndicate is operating within the justice system, who investigates the syndicate members? The answer is the DOJ's watchdog, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, but who investigates the FBI when they are part of this syndicate?

Our investigation into the Nickolas Spanos fugitive case has opened a can of worms that has turned into a nightmare for the FBI. The watchdog which has become part of the criminal syndicate can not prosecute its own, especially when the roots of this syndicate reaches the White house.

Criminal complaints were filed with the FBI White Collar Crime Richmond division about this criminal syndicate that has done its best to keep the fugitive Nickolas Spanos from being returned to Virginia to face the 13 grand jury indictments. The FBI Special Agent, Kathryn Weber, who took the report was quoted "Give me some time to digest all this", obviously shocked at the evidence that was given to her., the report was passed up to her superiors. Despite all the evidence of laws being shattered, the investigation has ended abruptly.

As we had covered in our earlier blogs about "avoiding to extradite a fugitive", we had exposed the big question of why the Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney has done its best to keep a fugitive, who allegedly distributed more than 600 kilos of cocaine in the Richmond area, from facing the 13 indictments by a grand jury in 1998-99. Despite his known location over the past 20 years and being arrested twice in order to be extradited, the HCCA continues to protect this fugitive, even though the fugitive Nickolas Spanos has even offered to turn himself in to the FBI in Athens, Greece, the HCCA does not want him. 

An email given to our investigators states that HCCA Shannon Taylor will not pay for the one way ticket for Nickolas Spanos to return to Virginia and be prosecuted for 13 grand jury indictments and allegedly distributing more that 600 kilos of cocaine. Shannon Taylor stated to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's office that "Nickolas Spanos must voluntarily return to Virginia". How is that possible when Nickolas Spanos no longer has a U.S. passport and has an Interpol arrest warrant (red notice) issued in his name. Even if he bought the ticket, his name would appear in the airlines database and he would be denied a flight since he is an active fugitive. The Commonwealth is "obligated" to return a "fugitive from justice" by any legal means.

This fugitive has a high price on his head but the HCCA Shannon Taylor does not want to pay for a $400 plane ticket? What is $400 next to the failed extradition costs of over $100,000 in Greece? Add in the fact that Nickolas Spanos was arrested in the Philippines and held for 19 months awaiting extradition while HCCA Shannon Taylor committed perjury, shut the door on the Virginia justice system and would not answer the requests of the FBI in Manila to extradite Nickolas Spanos back to Virginia. Even the Philippine DOJ pleaded with HCCA Shannon Taylor to provide authenticated copies of the 13 grand jury indictments but she refused to answer their emails and calls.

This raises many suspicions along with questions, exactly who is HCCA Shannon Taylor protecting? The obvious answer is Nickolas Spanos but he is not alone, McGuireWoods Howard Vick is also a target as Howard Vick was the HCCA when the 13 grand jury indictments were issued in 1998-99 and despite having a Federal warrant issued to bring back fugitive Nickolas Spanos, HCCA Howard Vick did not even bother to cancel Spanos's U.S. passport or inform the Greek DOJ that Spanos had overstayed his 60 day visa, in which the Greek authorities would have been more than happy to send back an "international fugitive" that allegedly distributed more than 600 kilos of cocaine and make big names for themselves in the international media. 

Why bother with prosecuting an international fugitive when Howard Vick had better things to do, like negotiating his "golden ticket" partnership with McGuireWoods Richard Cullen. If Howard Vick brought back Nickolas Spanos, his "golden ticket" would have been extinguished, as Nickolas Spanos was a client of McGuireWoods.

In protecting Howard Vick, Shannon Taylor is protecting Richard Cullen, because Richard Cullen is the head of the McGuireWoods "shadow government" and Richard Cullen is probably the most powerful lawyer in the United States at this writing. Richard Cullen is VP Mike Pence attorney as well as other powerful individuals, see article Richard Cullen facts. Just recently, President Trump appointed Richard Cullen's son, Thomas Cullen to the U.S. Attorney for the western district of Virginia, thus expanding the strong roots of McGuireWoods "shadow government" in Virginia, see the RTD article opinion by columnist Jeff Schapiro, Like father, kind of like son.

Ex-FBI Director James B. Comey, a previous McGuireWoods partner hired by Richard Cullen, was the U.S. Attorney who voluntarily dismissed the December 14, 1998 UFAP warrant on July 06, 2001. There is absolutely no reason to dismiss a Federal UFAP warrant unless the 1998-99 13 grand jury indictments had been dismissed but the subject grand jury indictments are still active. SEE JAMES COMEY ARTICLE, Richard Cullen was the main supporter of James B. Comey's appointment to be the FBI Director. 

All the evidence is clear in Virginia's Shadow Government

Ex-FBI Director James Comey tied to corruption involving International Fugitive Nickolas Spanos

James Comey joins the deep corruption involving "International fugitive" Nickolas Spanos

    

On July 06 2001, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia James Comey signed an order to dismiss a Federal Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution warrant against Nickolas Spanos

The original federal UFAP warrant was issued on December 11, 1998, by request of the Henrico County P.D. to the FBI, which issued the affidavit to issues the UFAP warrant. The December 11, 1998 affidavit contained enough information to have Nickolas Spanos extradited from Greece, even his exact location given by family members, "Spanos is currently residing with an Uncle in Athens, Greece". The uncles address is listed in Henrico county property and tax records, as he was a partner with other Spanos family members. Click to View 1998-2001 federal UFAP file

See our previous article, Henrico County Circuit Court and U.S. Attorney federal files go missing in International Fugitives case
The U.S. Attorneys office, Richmond Division, searched effortlessly through numerous archive data files to locate the missing file and recently located them in Richmond City Circuit Court archives. The big question has been answered on who was powerful enough to have these 1998-2001 files go missing.

Why would U.S. Attorney James Comey have the federal UFAP warrant dismissed, if the 1998-99 13 indictments for Conspiracy to distribute cocaine were still active active. 

There is no statute of limitations on a federal UFAP warrant, and the indictments are still active, thus there is no reason to dismiss the subject UFAP warrants unless James Comey was instructed by someone who had a vested interest to dismiss them.

An inside source at the U.S. Attorneys office stated that in an inter-agency letter signed by James Comey, his reasons for dismissing the subject UFAP warrant was that "the U.S. government and Greece have no extradition treaty and Nickolas Spanos could not be extradited back to Virginia". By making this written statement, James Comey has committed both illegal and ethical violations, as the U.S. government and Greece had ratified an extradition treaty in 1932 and narcotics offences are listed in the extradition treaty. Click to view U.S. - Greece 1932 extradition treaty

In our previous articles, the same name keeps appearing, Richard Cullen, one of the most powerful attorneys in the Washington political arena. Click to view Richard Cullen: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Lets look at the connection between Richard Cullen and James Comey.

According to The Washington Post, Richard Cullen once worked with James Comey at McGuireWoods; Comey was hired to work at the law firm in 1993, and he became a partner in 1996 and not only is Cullen his “close associate,” as news reports described, Cullen is godfather to one of Comey’s daughters. Click to view Richard Cullen is the "godfather" of James Comey's daughter

When James Comey was picked to be director of the FBI, Richard Cullen expressed his approval, telling the Richmond Times-Dispatch that Comey “will be a great director. There are many people in Richmond who remember him and his family fondly and are very pleased that the president has chosen him for such a vitally important position.”

Richard Cullen obstructed justice by having U.S. Attorney James Comey dismiss the federal UFAP warrants against Nickolas Spanos. This illegal action was for the sole purpose of being able to recruit HCCA Howard Vick to McGuireWoods in 2000, thus covering up the path of corruption.

Furthermore, by having the 1998-2001 federal warrant purged from the Henrico County Circuit Court, the Commonwealth Attorneys office and the U.S. Attorneys office files, adds more seriousness to the obstruction of justice.

Howard Vick, as the HCCA in 1998-2000, was legally and ethically obligated to pursue "International fugitive" Nickolas Spanos by cancelling his U.S. passport and notifying Greek DOJ authorities to have him deported as an "undocumented alien", an extradition request to Greece DOJ would have been an extra step which would have proved successful as Greece has no tolerance for narcotics trafficking/distribution.

In the July 06, 2001 FBI affidavit, Henrico police investigator J.T. Johnson stated "requested the assistance of the FBI in locating Spanos and assured that the Commonwealth of Virginia would extradite Spanos upon his arrest."

This is a very opposite message that HCCA Howard Vick has given, considering Howard Vick knew Spanos's exact location, Spanos was not a citizen of Greece until March 2000 and that the U.S. government and Greece have an extradition treaty.

International Fugitive Federal files suspiciously disappear

Henrico County Circuit Court and U.S. Attorney federal files go missing in International Fugitives case

High profile McGuire-Woods partners allegedly linked to the case of International Fugitive Nickolas Spanos corruption, as suspicions continue to grow in the missing Henrico County Circuit Court and U.S. Attorney federal files.

The missing files are related to federal warrants that had been issued for Nickolas Spanos on December 14, 1998 for Unlawful Flight to avoid prosecution. On December 05, 1998, a Multi-Jurisdictional Grand Jury issued 13 indictments for Nickolas Spanos alleging Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in the Richmond, Virginia area. 

Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney Howard Vick had requested for the U.S. Attorney office to issue the December 14, 1998 federal warrants for Unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Nickolas Spanos had fled to Greece on November 28, 1998 after being tipped off by HCCA Howard Vick that a pending grand jury trial would target him and fellow associates.

HCCA Howard Vick never attempted an extradition request from Greece to have Nickolas Spanos brought back to be prosecuted for the 13 grand jury indictments despite a media battle between Vick and Spanos. Spanos claimed that "Vick was on a witch hunt and had no evidence except false witnesses", Vick had stated that Spanos was the hub of a cocaine organization that distributed more than 600 kilos of cocaine.

On April 15, 1999, three of Spanos's associates pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine and testified against Spanos. HCCA Howard Vick refused to extradite Spanos from Greece despite Spanos challenging him in the media that the allegations against him are false.

In May 2000, HCCA Howard Vick resigned early from the HCCA position to join McGuire-Woods law firm on June 08, 2000. McGuire-Woods represented Nickolas Spanos and family members in multi-million dollar estate holdings.

Pacer case locater show that the federal case file was assigned to Magistrate Judge Dennis W. Dohnal on August 08, 2000, just two months after Howard Vick joined McGuire-Woods law firm.

Strangely enough on July 11, 2001, after 11 months, a government motion is submitted to have the December 14, 1998 federal warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution dismissed. Why would a federal warrant for an international fugitive be dismissed if the grand jury indictments are still active? The HCCA at the time was Wade Kizer, who was Howard Vick's loyal successor after his resignation.

With no federal warrants appearing, Nickolas Spanos was able to renew his U.S. passport on September 15, 2006 at the U.S. Embassy Athens, Greece and remain off the radar of international law enforcement. 

In a previous blog, we covered on three generations of Henrico Commonwealth Attorneys avoiding to extradite international fugitive Nickolas Spanos. READ ARTICLE Avoiding to "extradite an international fugitive" leads to corruption

Recently, Nickolas Spanos Attorneys began to uncover further corruption in the Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney's office, as the entire Henrico County Circuit Court records of the federal warrants for Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution were missing. The missing documents are:

1. December 11, 1998, Complaint against Nickolas Spanos by HCCA Howard Vick.
2. December 14, 1998, Federal warrant for Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution.
3. July 07, 2001, Motion by Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney's Office to dismiss the December 14, 1998 federal warrant issued against Nickolas Spanos.
4. July 07, 2001, Dismissal order of the December 14, 1998 federal warrant.

Spanos's attorney question the Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk as to the missing case files, in which they answered "only the Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney's office have access to these files and it is highly irregular that files are missing". The present HCCA is Shannon Taylor.

Numerous requests were made to HCCA Shannon Taylor for Brady Materials but Shannon Taylor refused to give the Brady Documents, violating Spanos's constitutional rights. Read article on Is Henrico County CA Shannon Taylor deliberately sabotaging her case to protect the files of Commonwealth v. Spanos?

Spanos's attorney then contacted the U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, who ordered the Nickolas Spanos Federal file from archives. In an email to Spanos's attorney, they stated that there were no records/documents prior to 2007. The Federal motions, warrants and dismissals have now disappeared from the U.S. Attorneys Office in Richmond, Virginia. The U.S. Attorney's office is investigating the missing documents.

The obvious question is who has the most to gain by the 1998-2001 Henrico County Circuit Court  and U.S. Attorney's office federal files to disappear? The first suspect coming to mind is Nickolas Spanos, but he is located in Greece and had no access to both government agency files, besides it does not change the fact that 13 grand jury indictments are still active, thus it greatly rules him out.

The next alleged suspect would be McGuire-Woods partner Howard Vick, the cloud of suspicion grows darker as to the highly irregular actions of Howard Vick while he was the HCCA prosecuting Nickolas Spanos and his refusal to have him extradited despite having federal warrants issued for his unlawful flight. 

Howard Vick was negotiating his partnership with McGuire-Woods, managing partner Richard Cullen, during the investigation and grand jury hearings that indicted Nickolas Spanos on 13 counts of conspiracy to distribute Cocaine. If HCCA Howard Vick would have extradited Spanos from Greece and prosecuted him, it would have shut the door on his partnership with McGuire-Woods law firm. READ ARTICLE ON VICK REUNITED WITH CULLEN AT MCGUIRE-WOODS

Howard Vick worked for Richard Cullen before he was appointed Henrico Commonwealth's attorney when Cullen was U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Our next blog will focus on who is powerful enough to illegally purge the files of both Henrico County Circuit Court and the U.S. Attorneys Office, Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division.

Is Henrico County CA Shannon Taylor deliberately sabotaging her case to protect the files of Commonwealth v. Spanos?

Strange turn of events in the case of Commonwealth of Virginia v. Spanos

In a December 20, 2017 letter to Rhetta Daniel, Attorney for Nickolas Spanos, the Henrico Commonwealths Attorney's office is refusing to provide Brady Materials in connection to Commonwealth v. Spanos case.

The Brady Rule, named after Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), requires prosecutors to disclose materially exculpatory evidence in the government's possession to the defense. A "Brady material" or evidence the prosecutor is required to disclose under this rule includes any evidence favourable to the accused--evidence that goes towards negating a defendant's guilt, that would reduce a defendant's potential sentence, or evidence going to the credibility of a witness

If the prosecution does not disclose material exculpatory evidence under this rule, and prejudice has ensued, the evidence will be suppressed. The evidence will be suppressed regardless of whether the prosecutor knew the evidence was in his or her possession, or whether or not the prosecutor intentionally or inadvertently withheld the evidence from the defense.

Further, in cases subsequent to Brady, the Supreme Court has eliminated the requirement for a defendant to have requested a favorable information, stating that the Prosecution has a constitutional duty to disclose, that is triggered by the potential impact of favorable but undisclosed evidence See Kyles v. Whitley 514 U.S. 419, 434 (1955); United States. v. Bagley, 473 U.S. 667 (1985). 

https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/brady_rule

In our earlier blogs, we focused on the numerous constitutional and due process violations in the Spanos case which undoubtedly would be used in filing for a motion to dismiss the 13 pending indictments issued against Spanos.

Also we exposed the irregular actions of the Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney's office & Henrico Police Department which spans over 20 years, which includes tainted evidence/testimony, perjury within Grand Jury indictments, inappropriate behaviour between HPD investigators and their main witness and most of all, human rights violations pertaining to malicious prosecution/illegal arrest.

What better way for the HCCA Shannon Taylor to make this nightmare go away? Refuse to provide Brady Materials, thus a violation of due process which would lead to suppressing all evidence. For certain a motion to dismiss would be filed and case dismissed. 

This is a win-win situation for HCCA Shannon Taylor: 

• the Spanos files would never have to be produced, thus any incriminating evidence against the HCCA would remained sealed.
• HCCA Shannon Taylor cleans up the mess created for over 20 years by the three generations of Commonwealth attorneys.
• Spanos would be satisfied as he feels that justice has been served by his indictments being dismissed.
• It spares the Henrico judicial and law enforcement branches a great deal of embarrassment.

It will be an interesting turn of events to follow.

"International Fugitive" Nickolas Spanos exclusive interview

"International Fugitive" Nickolas Spanos tells all in this interview with Virginia Corrupt Lawyers.

We have reached out to Nickolas Spanos for an interview and he has agreed to tell his side of the on going controversy with Henrico County Commonwealth Attorneys Howard Vick, Wade Kizer and Shannon Taylor that has reached 20 years.

We emailed both HCCA Shannon Taylor and ex-HCCA Howard Vick for comments but neither returned our emails to tell their side of the story.

VCL contacted HCCA Shannon Taylor and former HCCA Howard T. Vick for an interview but they did not care to comment on the Commonwealth v. Spanos case.

VCL: Why did you flee Virginia just before the Multi-jurisdictional Grand Jury hearings on December 03, 1998?

Spanos: For numerous reasons, the first being that I was told that leaving for Greece was an option by HCCA Howard Vick during a meeting with 2 HCP detectives and my Attorney Murray Janus, at the time I thought it was the best option considering that Murray Janus has also advised me to "take a vacation" for a while. The grand jury hearings were scheduled for early December 1998, since a subpoena was not issued for me or was I told there would be one issued for me, I exercised my right to travel.

VCL: How long did you stay in hiding upon arriving in Greece?

Spanos: I never hid in Greece or anywhere else, everyone knew my exact address, telephone number and how to contact me.

VCL: When you state everyone, please be specific.

Spanos: My family, friends, my enemies, HCCA/HCP, U.S. State department, U.S. Embassy Athens, Henrico County Commissioner of Accounts, my lawyers McGuire, Woods, Battle and Murray Janus, my accountants, the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Department. All of them knew my exact address in Athens, Greece, as well as my telephone number and email. I renewed my US passport in September 2006 and had listed my address on the renewal application. My address in Greece has been the same for 18 years.

VCL: Did you feel that you would get a fair trial?

Spanos: Not at all, in fact the system does not allow a fair trial, for instance, the Grand jury issued 13 indictments against me for "conspiracy to distribute cocaine". Each charge carries a 40 year sentence and a $500,000 fine for each count, that totals 520 years in prison and a $6.5 million fine if convicted. A lawyer to defend me in such a trial would cost $150,000, now if I plea bargain, the worst case scenario would have been that I would be sentenced to 10 years and only having to serve 1-2 years, possibly less with work release. The news media had already tried me, so tell me, even being innocent, a man would still plead guilty to such charges just to not take the risk of conviction.

VCL: Were there any other factors that led you to flee for Greece?

Spanos: Numerous, another strong reason was the persecution and violation of my constitutional rights, especially in 1996-98. Henrico county detectives were constantly following me, in restaurants, bars, activities with friends & family, they were even coming to my private residence in Hanover county and stealing my trash, so they could go through it. Henrico police helicopters were flying over my home constantly, even one of the detectives came to my house with his wife, asking to see the inside since they admired it from the road passing by. He did not announce he was a detective so I let them both in for a viewing, they wanted to see each room, closet, bathroom and area. I later recognized the detective in my meeting with HCCA Howard Vick. Another major incident was on a night I had been stopped by 7 Henrico Police cars with 10 officers for a "routine traffic stop", they were mostly undercover except for a couple of them, one being a detective Anthony Mehfoud. They claimed I had drugs in the car and insisted a search, which I refused, despite my refusal, they proceeded a complete search, tearing my car apart, in which they found nothing. Despite having a Florida drivers license, I was arrested for driving without a Virginia drivers license, the charge was dropped later. I met with a few attorneys to seek advise of what was happening, one was a previous deputy HCCA who worked with Howard Vick. All three advised me to be very careful and that the HCP would likely plant drugs on me or my possessions. The HCP had spent hundreds of man hours investigating and tracking me but could not obtain incriminating evidence, they were so frustrated that the chances of being framed were high.

VCL: While in Greece, just after the Grand jury indictments being issued and announced in the Richmond Times Dispatch that you were the "hub of a cocaine organization that distributed more than 600 kilos in the Richmond, Virginia area", you were interviewed by the Richmond Times Dispatch and stated it was a "witch hunt", do you still stand by that statement?

Spanos: Witch hunt? No, it is a strong case of oppression and persecution, what would you call when HCCA Howard Vick makes such wild accusations without any material evidence? Claiming 600 kilos of cocaine distributed without 1 grain of cocaine being confiscated, no money transactions, only a mysterious "black book" that never existed. The only "evidence" presented to the grand jury was the testimony of 13 drug addicts, unnamed in the indictments, who cut deals and walk away with immunity. Is this a justice system, playing lets "make a deal"? Let us see the outcome if no immunity was offered. We have absolute proof that the Grand Jury indictments were built on lies, intimidation, deceit and perjury.

VCL: Have you seen the Grand Jury indictments and when was the first time?

Spanos: Yes I have, the first time was about the 1st week of March 2013, when my older sister obtained a copy from the Henrico county Circuit court clerks office and sent them to me. I had been arrested in the Philippines on October 18, 2012 by Philippines Immigration and assisted by the U.S. Embassy/ FBI on instructions by HCCA Shannon Taylor. I had was waiting to be extradited, four months passed by and no extradition request had been submitted by the HCCA, I was supposed to be released on the 60th day of my arrest but the Philippines immigration refused, stating their reason was that the U.S. DOJ/HCCA was to extradite me. My Philippine lawyer instructed me to get authenticated copies since neither the Philippines Immigration or the U.S. Embassy Manila has provided them.

VCL: Did you see anything in the grand jury indictments that were suspicious?

Spanos: Yes, many suspicious items and perjury by the HCP detective and HCCA Howard Vick. Throughout the indictments, they presented a witness named Dr. Hugh Williams M.D., the Virginia Medical Board has issued a certificate that there is no Dr. Hugh Williams M.D. in the Virginia or national database, only a Hugh Williams who was licensed as a Radiologic technologist in 2002. Why does the HCP and HCCA have to present a false witness for credibility? This is perjury. Another strong point is that Witness L, main witness unnamed is my ex-girlfriend Sierra E. Cooke, who I had been in a long and nasty custody battle over our son, she has a documented suicide attempt in which she was held in St. Mary's Hospital for 48 hour suicide watch. Their main witness has a history of mental illness and is unstable. We also have strong evidence that Sierra E. Cooke had personal relations with at least one of the investigating detectives, Also, the dates of the alleged offences do not match or are inaccurate, they state from January 01, 1987 to December 31, 1998, these alleged drug transactions occurred. First off, I was in Greece from November 28, 1998, how is it possible i made drug transactions? Then, if the drug transactions took place from January 01, 1987 to December 31, 1998, 11 whole years, what was the HCP doing all this time? You are following me around everywhere, searching my home and my car illegally but yet you find nothing or catch me in any illegal activities? In a Grand Jury hearing, only the prosecutor is allowed to present "evidence", the "Rules of Court" are completely neglected and the prosecutor can say or do as he pleases like in my case, commit perjury. Is this a justice system?

VCL: How long were you held in a Philippine jail?

Spanos: I was detained for 19 months without an arrest warrant or in violation of Philippine law, I never saw 1 day in court or allowed due process of law. After the Philippines DOJ made numerous requests to HCCA Shannon Taylor for authenticated copies of the Grand jury indictments/arrest documents and she refused them, they decided the only option was to deport me to Greece.

VCL: In a March 01, 2013 RTD news article, HCCA Shannon Taylor stated that you were arrested on unrelated charges and it was unclear whether you would be extradited to Henrico County, any comments?

Spanos: Yes, HCCA Shannon Taylor is a liar, plain and simple. First off, I was detained by instructions from HCCA & U.S. Embassy/FBI to the Philippines Immigration, numerous letters were written by the U.S. Embassy Manila legal attaches, with copies of some information provided by HCP/HCCA. I was charged on October 19, 2012 by Philippine Immigration for being an "undesirable alien", a fugitive from justice. My attorney has the letters, documents from both the U.S. Embassy and Philippine Immigration, HCCA Shannon Taylor has absolutely no evidence I was being held on unrelated charges. As for being unclear whether I would be returned to the United States to face the 13 indictments, Philippines immigration and I waited 19 months for HCCA Shannon Taylor to file an extradition request, which she maliciously refused to do, she let me rot in a Philippine jail with her deliberate negligence.

VCL: After you were deported to Greece, what happened?

Spanos: I was deported on June 01, 2014, during my flight, an Interpol Red Notice was issued for my arrest, upon landing in Athens, Greece, I was arrested by Greek police and detained for 60 days while the HCCA prepared an extradition request. On the last day of the allowed detainment period, the U.S. Embassy Athens presented the Greek DOJ an official extradition request with all the authenticated supporting documents. My detainment was continued until the extradition hearing on September 24, 2014, in which a Greek tribunal denied the HCCA/U.S. Embassy request for extradition. However, under international law, since the extradition was denied, Greece was obligated to prosecute me in the Greek judicial system. My detainment was extended until my trial on March 27, 2015, a Greek tribunal dismissed all the Grand Jury indictments and I was released.

VCL: So the HCCA did not process an extradition request for the entire 19 months detainment in the Philippines but when you arrived in Greece, your protected haven, they attempted an extradition request, is that not suspicious?

Spanos: It is not only suspicious but intentionally conducted in this manner to assure that I would not be returned to the USA. Their actions also violates numerous constitutional rights and due process of law, I will explain. The HCCA had their best chance to have me extradited from the Philippines but they never took action, the Philippines is heavily influenced by the USA, thus an extradition would have been 95% successful. The HCCA was obligated to do whatever possible to bring me to justice in the USA but obviously did not. An extradition request in Greece has a 5% chance of success, being that I was also a Greek national, add in the fact that when the Greek DOJ requested more evidence, HCCA Shannon Taylor never responded just like in the Philippines. In most extradition requests, the U.S. DOJ will retain the services of an attorney to represent their interests and filing motions, etc. In my extradition hearing in Greece, no attorney was assigned to represent the US DOJ or was a motion to appeal filed when the extradition request was denied.

VCL: Was there any media/press coverage of your arrest/extradition trial in Greece or USA?

Spanos: None, as a matter of fact, it has been suppressed by even the Richmond Times Dispatch, they were informed of all the details on the situation but hid the story. It seems that when such a news breaking story happens, the press jumps on it, but why in my case it was kept hidden? Why was my arrest in the Philippines and Greece not announced in the media, usually prosecutors/DOJ officials are quick to issue a news statement to brag of catching an "International Fugitive" who allegedly distributed 600 kilos of cocaine. Unless their case stinks, is weak and built on deception/perjury, some might even say their was some type of bribe or compensation paid to blunder the case. Lets not forget about the personal relationship that "Witness L" aka Sierra E. Cooke allegedly had with at least one of the HCP Detectives.

VCL: Lets touch on this alleged personal relationship that you mentioned a few times in our interview, what evidence or suspicions do you have?

Spanos: I cannot fully disclose the evidence at this point since my attorney will be presenting this during future cases in court against the HCCA/HCP but I can state that "Witness L" aka Sierra E. Cooke admitted to me several times of the close personal relationship of one HCP detective involved in my case. During the investigations, they formed a close and personal bond, from my point of view, I would say she manipulated the detective and used her charm to put ideas and scenarios in his mind, which of course illegally reinforces the prejudice and persecution in my case. 

VCL: Your attorney recently filed a memorandum/motion for "Brady Materials" with your case, please explain the situation with this.

Spanos: That is correct, on December 19, 2017, attorney Rhetta Daniel filed those cases in Henrico Circuit court and notice was served to the HCCA. We had requested in mid-November "Brady Material" as per my constitutional rights and Rules of the Court, HCCA Shannon Taylor refused to provide the evidence that we are legally entitled to, thus forcing my attorney to file court cases to force the HCCA to turn over all evidence that is exculpatory evidence and pertinent to my case. We had just received a letter dated December 20, 2017 from HCCA Shannon Taylor/ Michael Feinmel that they are refusing to provide such evidence and will oppose it in a scheduled hearing.

VCL: The HCCA is opposing to turn over "Brady Material" in your case, why would they oppose since you are legally entitled to?

Spanos: The obvious reason is that there is incriminating evidence against the HCP/HCCA office over the past 20 years against them, violations of constitutional rights, due process of law, perjury, malicious prosecution, oppression, delay of justice, false arrest, making libellous and slanderous public statements and many other violations of law, which would also include some type of bribery/compensation as not to pursue justice. It is a fact that files and documents have gone missing from Henrico Circuit court files, that only the HCCA had access to, is this not suspicious?

VCL: In your opinion, what will be the outcome, do you feel confident in your present/future case?

Spanos: I have always felt confident that there was no material evidence in my case, thus me challenging HCCA Howard Vick in 1998-99 Richmond Times Dispatch news articles, I dared him to have me extradited from Greece, in which he could have easily brought me back. My citizenship in Greece was not formalized until April 2000, all Vick had to do was send a simple fax to the U.S. State department and have my U.S. passport cancelled, in which the State department/U.S. Embassy Athens would have informed Greek authorities. I would have been arrested and deported as an undocumented alien, Vick could have had me back in Henrico County Circuit court within one month of my leaving the USA on November 28, 1998. The final outcome is already known, HCCA Shannon Taylor career is finished, she knows what she has done over the past 5 years and she has been sadly attempting to cover up her, Howard Vick and Wade Kizer's illegal actions. This whole case has been built on lies, deceit and illegal activity by both the HCCA and the HCP. 

VCL: One last question, will you be filing any cases for damages?

Spanos: I can not give any details as to that at this point, all I can state is that my constitutional rights and Due process of law have been violated for over 20 years, my family & friends has suffered greatly, we have all been oppressed and persecuted which has led to embarrassment, prejudice and being ridiculed. My wife & children have suffered greatly both in the Philippines, Greece and the USA. I lost my very successful business, as well as the two orphanages that were supported by my business and have been prevented from future employment/financial ventures because of the HCCA/HCP and to this day still suffer mentally because of their actions. I was illegally arrested and detained for 19 months in a Philippine jail under inhumane conditions, which led to denial of medical care, subject to both physical & mental torture and our human rights violated. All these are the direct actions of the HCCA/HCP. Yes, numerous cases will be filed, once we obtain the "Brady Materials", we will know exactly what transpired.

VCL: Thank you Mr. Spanos for your time.

International fugitive Nickolas G. Spanos files motion for Brady Material.

Withholding of Brady Material by Henrico County Commonwealths Attorney Shannon Taylor continues to violate constitutional rights

Despite repeated written requests for over 30 days by Nickolas Spanos's attorney Rhetta M. Daniel, the Henrico Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor is withholding and claims it is entitled to continue withholding evidence that from the Defendant that he must have to prepare for his defense of  unserved Indictments.  

The denial of providing the Brady Material has provoked a December 19, 2017 filing of a motion & memorandum totalling 40 pages, to compel the production of Brady Material by the Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney.

Furthermore, the motion states "that the Commonwealth failed to provide the requisite documentation to the foreign authorities and the United States authorities in Greece and the Philippines to have the Defendant extradited timely. The Defendant also has reason to believe the Commonwealth has been suppressing evidence that casts grave doubts on the quality of the Commonwealth’s investigation, including evidence that the Commonwealth in its investigation failed to find any physical evidence that the Defendant could be convicted of any of the charges set out in the said Indictments." 

The 1998-99 Grand Jury 13 Indictments against Spanos are for Conspiracy to distribute Cocaine, The indictments claim that Spanos was involved in the trafficking of narcotics from 1987 to 1998.

A meeting, in November 1998, Spanos and his attorney Murray Janus met with Howard Vick and two Henrico detectives, Vick gave Spanos three choices "cooperate by testifying against others, do not cooperate and sit at the table with the big boys or you can leave for Greece". Spanos chose to leave for Greece just weeks before the Grand Jury indictments were issued against him. In various media statements he contended that the indictments were a "witch hunt" by the original Henrico Commonwealth Attorney Howard "Toby" Vick without any material evidence.

Coincidently, Howard Vick resigned from his position as Commonwealth Attorney on June 09, 2000 to join McGuire Woods LLP law firm, who represented Nickolas Spanos as co-trustee for his family trust and other close family members, notably his late father George N. Spanos since 1980.

The motion states that Howard Vick intentionally avoided extraditing Spanos from Greece for reason that it would have dampened his employment opportunity with McGuire Woods LLP by creating a conflict of interest and that employment negotiations were already in place before the Grand jury indictments against Spanos were issued.

The motion also states many irregular actions by the Henrico County Commonwealth Office from 1996 to present day, the most irregular being the failure or inaction of not extraditing Spanos despite knowing where his location has been for 18 years. 

Also stated that on October 18, 2012, Shannon Taylor had Spanos arrested in the Philippines but never processed an extradition request and had denied the Philippines DOJ numerous request for authenticated documents pertaining to the 13 Grand Jury indictments, which led to the illegal detention of Spanos in a Philippine jail for 19 months. The Philippine DOJ deported Spanos to Greece on June 01, 2014.

The motion is specifically requesting the following:

• Legible copies of all documents missing from the Henrico Circuit Court files from 1996 through the present;
• Legible copies of all statements by the defendant and any co-defendants;
• Legible copies of all documents and tangible objects in your possession or under your control that the prosecution will use at any Hearing or a trial;
• A Complete Witness List of all the witnesses the prosecution plans to have testify at a Hearing or at trial, including Ms. Shannon Taylor and Mr. Feinmel, as well as all prior recorded verbal and all written statements, letters, notes, computer documents containing any statements made by those witnesses that are relevant to the underlying Indictments or the extradition procedures engaged in by any person in the Office of the Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney;
• Legible copies of all reports of scientific tests and/or medical and physical examinations that have been prepared for the prosecution of Mr. Spanos;
• Legible copies of all exculpatory evidence within the possession or control of the Henrico County Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney, the Richmond Circuit Court and/or the Multi-Jurisdictional Grand Jury;
• Legible copies of all documentary or other evidence that will aid in defense of the Defendant's cases that is in possession of or under the control of Henrico County Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney, the Henrico Police Department, the Richmond Circuit Court and/or the Multi-Jurisdictional Grand Jury;
• Legible copies of all documents and all recorded information that affects the credibility of any prosecution witnesses, such as the prosecution offered its witness leniency in exchange for testimony, but not excluding any other type of information that may affect the credibility of any witness, including Ms. Taylor and Mr. Feinmel; [See: Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150 (1972)];
• Legible copies of all other exculpatory evidence such as the identity of all missing, senile or dead witnesses, but not excluding any other type of exculpatory evidence;
• All evidence and documents that contain any reference to any efforts or procedures instituted by Howard C. (Toby) Vick, former Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney to have the Defendant extradited or returned from Greece to the United States;
• All evidence and document that contain any reference to any negotiations for employment or offers of employment from McGuire Woods LLP, or any previous entity to McGuire Woods LLP, related in any manner to Howard C. (Toby) Vick, former Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney, when he was applying for any position or any employment with McGuire Woods LLP, Richmond, VA;
• All evidence and document that contain any reference to any negotiations or offers from McGuire Woods LLP, or any previous entity before McGuireWoods LLP was established, related to Howard C. (Toby) Vick’s, former Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney, having contact with Richard Cullen, Esquire, who was employed by McGuire Woods LLP, Richmond, VA, when Howard C. (Toby) Vick, Esquire, resigned as the Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney and became employed by McGuire Wood LLP or any previous entity that became McGuireWoods LLP; https://www.mcguirewoods.com/People/V/Howard-C-Vick-Jr.aspx & https://www.mcguirewoods.com/People/C/Richard-Cullen.aspx; and
• All evidence of any type of personal relationship with any witness between Henrico Detective/Officer J. T. Johnson and/or Detective/Officer . . . Clavert, who were/are or may have been employed by the Henrico County Virginia Police Department, but not excluding any other employees of Henrico County, Virginia, from 1980 through the present.

For additional clarity, I am including and requesting the following described materials, but not excluding any other documents, physical evidence or intangible evidence:

(a) The names and addresses of persons the prosecutor intends to call or may call as witnesses at trial.

(b) Statements of all other defendants and Mr. Spanos.

(c) All relevant "real evidence" seized or obtained as a part of the investigation of the offenses charged.

(d) The existence of a felony conviction of any material witness whose credibility is likely to be critical to the outcome of the trial.

(e) Any exculpatory evidence.

(f) Relevant written or recorded statements of witnesses or reports of the statements of witnesses whom the prosecutor intends to call at the trial, including any reports or statements of experts made in conjunction with the case, including the results of physical or mental examinations, scientific tests, experiments, or comparisons which the prosecutor intends to offer in evidence at the trial.

Spanos's attorney Rhetta M. Daniel states in the motion, that because of the irregular actions and violation of Spanos's constitutional rights, by the three (3) generations of Commonwealths attorneys Shannon Taylor, Wade Kizer and Howard Vick, all charges and indictments against Spanos must be dismissed.

Attorney Daniel inquired concerning whether the Commonwealth had copies of the document(s) that clearly had been removed from the official Henrico Circuit Court files for the Defendant and which documents by name appeared to be critical to the defense of the Defendant, the Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney did not know if the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney had copies or not.

Copies of the motions filed can be viewed at this link:         

Motion for Brady Material