Alleged Fraudster, Hushpupp's Lawyers Set To Dump Him.

 

Gal Pissetzky and Vicki Podberesky, two US lawyers representing Nigerian fraud suspects, Ramon Abbas, better known as Hushpuppi, have asked to withdraw from the case.

They both filed an application with the U.S. District Court in California, stating their intent.

The appeal was filed on January 21 and will be heard on February 22 by the court.

As the reason for the withdrawal, the lawyers cited communication issues and also that Hushpuppi had employed new lawyers to defend him.

“Ms. Podberesky, as local counsel, has made several visits to see Mr Abbas at the Santa Ana Jail and has also communicated with him by telephone. I, through Ms. Podberesky, have provided Mr Abbas with a copy of the discovery, reviewed it with him, and had numerous conferences with Mr Abbas telephonically, and Ms Podberesky has also met with him in-person to discuss the case.

“We discussed with Mr Abbas the potential theories that might be available to him at trial, pre-trial motions, the sentencing guidelines and the potential of a plea agreement. After months of discussions with Mr. Abbas and negotiations with the government, Mr Abbas now refuses to effectively communicate with me. I have made numerous attempts through family and jail staff to have Mr Abbas call me to discuss critical issues.

“Mr Abbas, however, has not communicated with me. Both family and jail staff have told me that they have conveyed my messages to Mr Abbas to call me. He informed me that he is retaining new counsel. I informed him that I and Ms. Podberesky were moving to withdraw given his refusal to communicate and cooperate with us.”