A notorious Georgian organized crime boss and his associates have been brought to justice in a federal court in New York.
Vazha Gabadadze, 42, and his associates, Teimuraz Tavberidze, 55, Kakha Katsadze, 46, and Davit Tikaradze, 54, were convicted and sentenced for their roles in a brazen extortion scheme that targeted a victim in the United States.
According to the indictment, Gabadadze, who is known as a ‘vor v zakone,’ or ‘thief-in-law,’ was the leader of a criminal enterprise from the Republic of Georgia. He demanded and received thousands of dollars from the victim, threatening to mutilate and kill him if he did not comply.
The victim, who had moved to the United States in 2017, was approached by Gabadadze in 2022 and told that his friend owed Gabadadze money. The victim was then pursued, harassed, and threatened by Gabadadze and his associates, who demanded that he pay $15,000.
Gabadadze was sentenced to 30 months in prison, while Tavberidze, Katsadze, and Tikaradze were sentenced to 21 months, 21 months, and 12 months, respectively. The defendants received approximately $19,000 in extortion payments during the course of the scheme.
The convictions and sentences are a result of a joint investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky praised the outstanding work of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in bringing the defendants to justice.
Defendant Information:
* Defendant: Vazha Gabadadze
* Age: 42
* Charges: Hobbs Act extortion
* City and State: New York
* Date: 2024
* Sentence: 30 months in prison
* Dollar Amount: $19,000
Related Federal Cases
- Vazha Gabadadze, Extortion, New York 2024 · Washington
- Razhden Shulaya, Racketeering, New York 2024 · Connecticut
- Mad Stone Bloods Racketeering Case Unfolds · Connecticut
- Maliek Ramsey, Informant Murder, GA 2008 · Connecticut
- Angel Manuel Fontanez, Heroin Trafficking, FL 2016 · Connecticut
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Organized CrimeOrganized CrimeOrganized CrimeOrganized Crime