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Brazil Church Leaders Plead Not Guilty
By CURT ANDERSON
Associated Press Writer
MIAMI (AP) -- A Brazilian couple accused of plundering millions of dollars from their evangelical church pleaded not guilty Tuesday to federal charges that they illegally smuggled $56,000 in cash into the United States.
Estavam Hernandes-Filho, 52, and his 48-year-old wife, Sonia Haddad Moraes Hernandes, each stood silently in the courtroom while their lawyers entered not guilty pleas to charges of bulk cash smuggling, conspiracy and making false statements. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
The couple was then hustled out of the downtown courthouse by supporters. They refused any comment, as did their attorneys.
The two were arrested Jan. 8 at Miami International Airport after arriving on a flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil, carrying $56,467, authorities said.
They filled out U.S. customs forms indicating they had only $21,000 in cash. And Hernandes told a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer she had only about $10,000, according to the indictment
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BRAZILIAN_MONEY_SMUGGLING?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US
By CURT ANDERSON
Associated Press Writer
MIAMI (AP) -- A Brazilian couple accused of plundering millions of dollars from their evangelical church pleaded not guilty Tuesday to federal charges that they illegally smuggled $56,000 in cash into the United States.
Estavam Hernandes-Filho, 52, and his 48-year-old wife, Sonia Haddad Moraes Hernandes, each stood silently in the courtroom while their lawyers entered not guilty pleas to charges of bulk cash smuggling, conspiracy and making false statements. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
The couple was then hustled out of the downtown courthouse by supporters. They refused any comment, as did their attorneys.
The two were arrested Jan. 8 at Miami International Airport after arriving on a flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil, carrying $56,467, authorities said.
They filled out U.S. customs forms indicating they had only $21,000 in cash. And Hernandes told a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer she had only about $10,000, according to the indictment
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BRAZILIAN_MONEY_SMUGGLING?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US