HCCA Shannon Taylor refuses to bring international fugitive to trial

Evidence of collusion exhibited  in Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney's office in international fugitives case

Just days before the January 19, 2019 Motion To Dismiss thirteen indictments for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, the HCCA went into negotiations with the defendant Nickolas Spanos and his attorney Jay Pickus, who was recently retained to represent him.

What takes place over the following weeks have raised stronger suspicions of collusion between the HCCA and the FBI. The unanswered question of why Shannon Taylor and the Richmond FBI refuse to bring the defendant Nickolas Spanos back to Virginia to face allegations that he was the "hub of a 600 kilo cocaine distribution organization".

Further investigations produced evidence of the HCCA's main witness, an ex-girlfriend of Spanos, known as witness "L" in the grand jury indictments as not credible, with a history of mental illness, suicide attempt, and perjury.

The most damaging allegations is that witness "L" and the HPD investigator in the Spanos case, were having a personal relationship from 1999 which lasted a few years. The HPD investigator was later employed by the FBI Richmond office.

It is alleged that the original HCCA Howard Vick, knew of witness "L" lack of credibility and serious mental health problems, and later discovered about the personal relationship between his main witness and the HPD investigator.

During negotiations with Spanos's attorney Jay Pickus, the serious allegations surfaced in a blog titled "Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney's con artist Witness "L", in an attempt to keep the evidence from going public, the HCCA and the FBI, immediately moved to dismiss the federal UFAP warrant and the INTERPOL Red notice against Spanos. 

It is unheard of that the HCCA & FBI would support dismissing a federal UFAP warrant and an INTERPOL Red notice without the fugitive being arrested, arraigned and the indictments being decided in a court hearing.

The fact that witness "L" and the HPD investigator were allegedly having a personal relationship, combined with witness "L" serious mental history, including a suicide attempt which kept witness "L" in a St. Mary's hospital mental suicide watch for 48 hours, were never disclosed to Spanos's co-conspirators defense attorneys, which the HCCA was obligated to due so under the Brady Rule Law.

Brady Rule Definition: 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 favorable 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.

The serious implications is that the three co-conspirators pleaded guilty in plea bargain agreements, which they possible would not have if the exculpatory evidence was disclosed, as obligated by law, in which the co-conspirators went to prison for three to fifteen years. 

The biggest question goes unanswered by Shannon Taylor and the FBI, "why did Taylor refuse to extradite the fugitive from the Philippines, despite his arrest and U.S. embassy legal attaches demanding his extradition otherwise he would be deported to Greece, his safe haven."

A November 22, 2018 Motion for Transportation to be provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia from Greece to Virginia was submitted to Henrico Circuit Court. The defendant Spanos based his motion on case law that required the HCCA to have him escorted by federal marshals back to Virginia to be present for his January 19, 2019 hearing. 

A December 07, 2018 order signed by Judge Lee A. Harris denied the motion for transportation, which was not objected by HCCA Shannon Taylor. 

The obvious question stands out, why did Henrico Circuit court Judge L.A. Harris deny the motion to transport a suspected drug dealer who allegedly was the hub of an organization that distributed more than 600 kilos of cocaine in the Richmond area?

The other big question is who is Shannon Taylor protecting, in refusing to bring the fugitive back to Virginia? With the new evidence presented, that three generations of HCCA knew that the  main witness "L" with her history of serious mental history and they intentionally hid the exculpatory evidence from the co-conspirators defense attorneys? 

A prosecutors duty is to see that justice is served, if a main witness proves to be not credible or has serious mental issues, then the defense attorneys must be informed as per exculpatory rules. 

HCCA Shannon Taylor will have to disclose at some point on the exact reason who she is protecting and why Henrico County does not want the alleged cocaine dealer to appear in Henrico County.

"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

Avoiding to "extradite an international fugitive" leads to corruption.

Three generations (19 years) of Henrico County Virginia Commonwealth Prosecutors covering up an Extradition for "International Fugitive" 

Grand jury indictments were issued against Nickolas G. Spanos in December 1998 and April 1999 for 13 counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Henrico County Commonwealth attorney Howard "Toby" Vick had stated in numerous media statements that Spanos was the hub of organization that distributed more than 600 kilos in the Richmond, Virginia area. Toby Vick alleged that Spanos customers were middle to upper-class businessmen, lawyers, doctors and other professionals, Spanos had operated the drug syndicate for over 10 years. Vick stated that Spanos fled to Greece before the indictments were issued and that the USA DEA has an office in Athens, Greece; Spanos will stand trial in Henrico county for the Grand Jury indictments, a bold statement by Henrico county C.A. Howard "Toby" Vick.
                               

      
Spanos responded back to Richmond Times Dispatch reporter Bill Wasson, "that Vick is going on a witch hunt", yes people were partying but not what it has been made out to be. Spanos challenged Vick by stating "I an just a bean in a bag of beans, a regular guy blending in the streets", basically telling Vick that there was no way he would bring him back. RTD reporter Bill Wasson asked if Spanos had dual citizenship, which Spanos replied yes and he would be going to the islands shortly. Also stating was that Vick's case was based on testimonies alone and that the main witness was his disgruntled jealous ex-gf that was lying and exaggerating for revenge, and that a brutal custody case led to all this.

From a non-biased view, certain questions rise, If Spanos was such a major cocaine dealer in the Richmond area for over 10 years, why couldn't the Henrico Police department catch him? Would there not be a money trail? 600 kilos of cocaine has a street value of over $18,000,000. (18 million USD.)

Toby Vick had brought in many members of his family for questioning, in which they had no idea of the alleged cocaine distribution, one sister asked Vick "where did all the money go?" Vick replied " he was buying a lot of drinks for people in the bars"

The Henrico narcotics police served 2 search warrants, one at Spanos home in Hanover county and another one at his mothers home in Henrico county, their main witness had given the information that was the location of drugs and money. No drugs or money was found but they did find Spanos's mothers stash of Greek coffee wrapped in aluminium foils sealed with plastic in the freezer.

A non-biased view would say that the Henrico C.A. main witness has led them on a wild story since she was the disgruntled, jealous ex that was in a hard custody battle with a good chance of losing custody. The Henrico C.A. Toby Vick probably did not mention in the multi-jurisdictional grand jury hearings that the ex had a history of mental illness and that she attempted suicide on Christmas day, leading to confinement at a psychiatric ward for a 48 hour suicide watch.

In the statements C.A. Toby Vick made to the media, no mention of the confiscation of drugs or money was mentioned, only that there were witnesses that testified that they bought cocaine from Spanos.

Henrico County C.A. Toby Vick had a Federal warrant of arrest for Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution issued on December 14, 1998, 1 week after the Multi-jurisdictional Grand Jury issued the 13 indictments against Spanos (18 days after Spanos left for Greece)   

Despite having the Federal warrant issued, no request to the DOJ Office of International Affairs to have an Interpol Red Notice issued for Spanos and begin extradition procedures, which would have alerted the International law enforcement community to arrest Spanos.

C.A. Toby Vick did not even inform the U.S. State Department in order to cancel Spanos's USA passport, this would have made him "undocumented" and his deportation would have even been easier than an Extradition request.

The question might come up that Vick was an inexperienced prosecutor that did not know the procedures when a suspect becomes an "international fugitive", lets take a look at Henrico C.A. Howard Vick's resume:

Commonwealth's Attorney, Henrico County, Virginia; 
Head of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia’s Organized Crime-Drug Enforcement Task Force; 
Head of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida’s (Miami) Organized Crime-Drug Enforcement Task Force; 
Member of the DOJ’s Organized Crime Strike Force in New Orleans; 
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Arlington, Virginia 
Assistant Attorney General, Commonwealth of Virginia (Richmond), 

With a resume like this, Toby Vick could easily extradite someone like Spanos who was on limited funds in a foreign country with only a USA passport that would only give him 60 days visa in Greece.

The case against Spanos became stronger as three of his associates pleaded guilty to lesser charges and testified against Spanos as part of their plea bargains in April 1999.
Again no attempt was made by C.A. Toby Vick to have Spanos extradited from Greece, Europe or any other destination he might attempt to travel to.

The non-biased view might ask if Spanos was the "hub of a drug syndicate that distributed over 600 kilos of cocaine" , why Henrico C.A. Toby Vick not even make an attempt to take any legal action to extradite Spanos?

To go through a Multi-jurisdictional Grand Jury bringing in more that 15 witnesses to testify, also presenting evidence to a jury, thousands of police hours to investigate and interview witnesses, issuing subpoenas and other legal instruments is no small task. Toby Vick would have just had to cross the hall from his office, go to the Henrico county clerks office, have a capias issued and signed by a judge. Then send it to various agencies to have the necessary action taken to bring Spanos back, either by extradition or deportation, pretty simple maybe 1 hours worth of work?

The surprising point is that on July 06, 2001, the December 14, 1998 Federal warrant for Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution was dismissed based on a government motion.

Coincidently, Henrico county CA Toby Vick resigned from his position with the Henrico County CA office on June 09, 2000 and joined the McGuire-Woods law firm, which was the law firm handling Spanos's late father’s estate, which Spanos was co-trustee with his mother. Toby Vick’s decision to join McGuire-Woods law firm did not happen overnight, he had planned this for quite a while, possibly before the 1998-99 grand jury hearings. 
http://www.richmond.com/city-life/news/article_511631a5-9b51-5583-b112-6b944498564b.html

The position will reunite him with former Virginia Attorney General Richard Cullen, who now heads up that team for the firm. Vick worked for Cullen before he was appointed Henrico Commonwealth's attorney when Cullen was U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

• Would there be some sort of conflict of interest if Spanos was to be returned and stand trial for the 13 Grand Jury indictments for drug charges? 

• Could it have shut the door on Toby Vick’s partnership with McGuire-Woods law firm? 

Howard Vick's partnership with McGuire Woods LLP. was his golden ticket. McGuire Woods LLP. is a U.S. law firm with more than 1,000 attorneys in 23 offices across the United States, Asia and Europe. The firm's largest offices are in Richmond, VA, Charlotte, NC, and Chicago, IL.. Very suspicious?

On September 10, 2006, Nickolas Spanos walks into the U.S. Embassy Athens and applies to renew his USA passport, 4 days later, he picks up his brand new USA Passport with no questions asked. His previous USA passport expired on June 14, 2003.

A non-biased view might ask, why isn't the most powerful embassy of the civilized world not putting out a wanted notice if this "international fugitive" might happen to visit the most secured embassy in the world?

On February 20, 2007, a Federal warrant was issued for Spanos arrest, the charge is Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution warrant which is a request by the state for federal assistance in apprehending someone who is charged with a felony and has crossed state lines or fled the country.

Again, Henrico County Commonwealths Attorney Wade Kizer makes no attempt to have Spanos extradited or even cancel his newly acquired USA passport which is less than 7 months old and would expire 10 years later in 2016. In the February 20, 2007 Affidavit signed by Christopher Doering, Special Agent, FBI, he states the exact location of Spanos, as listed on his passport application, Messologion 21, Athens, Greece. January 12, 2007, Henrico Police Investigator E.S. Brown requests from the FBI in locating Spanos. 

A non-biased view would continue to ask the same questions, why wasn't one single attempt made to bring Spanos to justice? What was the Henrico C.A. office and now the federal law enforcement agencies waiting for? What or who was the Henrico C.A. office protecting?

Another five years pass and a situation which was brought in detail in our previous article, 
U.S. Embassy legal attaches tied to extortion and human trafficking., in which Spanos was arrested in the Philippines On October 18, 2012 and detained  for 19 months, USA DOJ, U.S.Embassy Manila legal attaches (FBI) and more importantly Henrico County C.A. Shannon Taylor never processed an extradition request. They kept the arrest hidden from the media until the Richmond Times Dispatch received a tip that a relative of Spanos had requested authenticated copies of the 1998-99 Multi-jurisdictional Grand Jury on February 28, 2013.

A Richmond Times Dispatch news article on March 01, 2013 published that Nickolas Spanos was found in the Philippines and detained by Philippine Immigration. 
http://www.richmond.com/news/alleged-coke-dealer-located-in-philippines-after-years-on-the/article_6e331ad0-599d-5d2b-b6c8-310144479dc1.html


Henrico County authorities and the FBI confirmed Thursday that Nickolas George Spanos, 48, is in the custody of Philippine authorities on separate, unresolved charges there, Henrico C.A. Shannon Taylor states "that it is not clear when the former seafood dealer could be returned to this country"

"Henrico County authorities and the FBI confirmed Thursday that Nickolas George Spanos, 48, is in the custody of Philippine authorities on separate, unresolved charges there."

"Vick said in an email Thursday that he was aware that Spanos had been arrested; he had predicted in 1999 that it would happen. “I'm fully confident that Nick Spanos will stand trial in Henrico Circuit Court,” Vick said then."

The fact is that Spanos's arrest by Philippine authorities was based on the request of Henrico County CA office and the U.S.Embassy Manila legal attaches, there was no other pending charges against Spanos.

On September 10, 2013, 11 months after Spanos arrest in the Philippines, the Henrico county Circuit court issues an arrest warrant for Spanos for the 1998-99 Grand jury indictments.

A non-biased view would question the delay in issuing a September 10, 2013 arrest warrant, 11 months after Spanos arrest in the Philippines. Why did C.A. Shannon Taylor hide the fact of Spanos arrest in the Philippines?

The Philippine DOJ made several requests to Henrico County CA office to send them authenticated copies of the 1998-99 Grand jury indictments and other important documents. Henrico county CA Shannon Taylor refused their request.

Despite numerous letters from the U.S. FBI to Philippines Immigration officials demanding Spanos's deportation to the USA, he was deported to Greece on June 01, 2014.

Upon Spanos's arrival in Athens, Greece on June 02, 2014, he was greeted by Greek national security officials, in which they presented an Interpol Red notice asking for his provisional arrest in order for the U.S. DOJ could process the request for extradition.

Nickolas Spanos aka Nikolaos Spanoudis was brought before a Greek DOJ Prosecutor and was presented with the attached documents to the Interpol Red notice, a Capias from Henrico county Circuit court showing a September 13, 2013 certified date, 15 years after the multi-jurisdictional grand jury had issued the 13 indictments.


Greek DOJ Prosecutor held Spanos under the 60 day provisional arrest article listed in most USA Extradition treaties. The USA DOJ Office of international Affairs has to submit the required documents as stipulated in the USA-Greece Extradition treaty. On July 30, 2014, the U.S. Embassy Athens submitted all the required documents to the Greek DOJ Prosecutor, Spanos was ordered to be detained until the September 23 2014 Extradition hearing. To view: USA DOJ Extradition request with supporting documents 

During his Extradition detention, Greek justice authorities charged Spanos with the 1998-99 Grand Jury indictments that the USA DOJ submitted. Under the USA-Greece Extradition treaty, Greece may prosecute a Greek national under Greek law if the Extradition is refused.

On September 24, 2014, a Greek Tribunal denied the USA Extradition request. No USA embassy official attended the trial nor did the USA embassy retain an attorney to present evidence on their behalf.

The Greek DOJ Prosecutors office informed the USA DOJ OIA and the USA Embassy Athens of the Greek tribunals decision and also of the Greek DOJ obligation to prosecute Spanos under Greek law, the Greek DOJ requested that any evidence that Henrico county C.A wanted to present, that they should to forward it to Greek Prosecutors. No evidence was ever sent or a reply by Henrico county C.A.

On March 27, 2015, A Greek Tribunal dismissed all 13 indictments against Spanos and ordered his release. The Greek DOJ notified the USA Embassy Athens and the USA DOJ OIA of the decision, the USA DOJ refused to file an appeal to the decision.
Below are the short decision of the Greek tribunal.

The main issue is why did Henrico county CA Shannon Taylor not attempt to process an extradition request in the Philippines, where she had the best chance to bring Spanos back to the USA to face the 13 indictments? 

Why did Shannon Taylor attempt an Extradition request from Greece, where she knew that Greece was Spanos's safe haven and that Greece does not extradite its own nationals?

The conclusion of all the facts is that the three generations of Henrico County Commonwealth Attorneys were making more efforts to keep fugitive Nickolas Spanos out of the United States than to extradite him and have him face the 13 Grand jury indictments. Only ex-Henrico CA Howard "Toby" Vick , Wade Kizer & Shannon Taylor know the answer to why..