Robert Evans, Extortion, Washington District of Columbia 2021

A New York man has pleaded guilty to participating in a $4 million extortion, fraud, and money laundering scheme with his ex-common-law wife and family members. Robert Evans, 33, of New York, N.Y., pled guilty on September 30, 2021, to interference with interstate commerce by extortion, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951.

The scheme, which occurred between January 2017 and March 2017, involved a Maryland man who was extorted by a New York woman and members of the Evans-Kaslov family. The man was threatened by Tony John Evans, Robert’s brother, who asked if he needed to remind the man where his kids went to school and where the man lived.

As part of the scheme, the Maryland man embezzled funds from his employer and converted them to cash and gold bars, which he delivered to New York drop-off locations. The funds were then laundered by the Evans-Kaslov family, with Robert Evans arranging the logistics of a $500,000 cash payment.

Ronald Kaslov, Robert’s father, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, and admitted to driving family members around New York with cash obtained from the scheme. Candy Evans, Robert’s mother, pled guilty to tampering with a witness by corrupt persuasion or misleading conduct, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(3).

Robert Evans faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for interference with interstate commerce by extortion. However, under federal sentencing guidelines, the likely recommended sentence is 57 to 71 months in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for September 30, 2021.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Acting U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips and Special Agent in Charge James A. Dawson commended the work of those who investigated the case. The maximum sentence for interference with interstate commerce by extortion is twenty years in prison. Under federal sentencing guidelines, however, the likely recommended sentence for Robert Evans on that charge is 57 to 71 months in prison.

The Evans-Kaslov family’s scheme was uncovered after the FBI launched an investigation in April 2018. The investigation led to the indictment of Robert Evans, his ex-common-law wife Gina Rita Russell, his brothers Tony John Evans and Corry Blue Evans, and his parents Archie Kaslov and Candy Evans. With the exception of Corry Blue Evans, each defendant has pled guilty.

The total loss from the scheme was $4 million, including cash and gold bars. The Evans-Kaslov family used the money to purchase luxury items, including a Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead for over $300,000 in cash. Candy Evans and Ronald Kaslov sold the Rolls Royce in New Jersey for $120,000 in January 2020.

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