The well-known owner of Thornton’s Heaven Dragon restaurant, Dan Tang, who fed President George W. Bush and a long list of other notable politicos, was arrested last year in a surprising case that alleged he was the leader of a massive marijuana and money laundering operation (via CBS4).

The federal case against him, “Operation Fortune Cookie,” has since proceeded to the point that it was expected to wrap up with Tang’s sentencing in a U.S. District Court this week, according to Westword. But now the hearing has been rescheduled for late next month to allow a presentation by David Kan, a forensic psychiatrist from California.

“It’s to show Dan’s background,” says Gene Ciancio, one of Tang’s lawyers. “It’s more of an attempt to show his social history. That’s the best way in our opinion of doing it.”

In November, Tang pleaded guilty to a single count of money laundering in a deal with the feds, who are recommending Tang receive 11 to 30 months in prison or probation time—far less than the 70-80 months advised under federal guidelines.

As recently as 2008, Tang gave money to local political campaigns, including Congressman Mike Coffman, who returned the contribution (via 5280).

Posted 2/9/2010 at 10:00 am by Michael de Yoanna
Crime, Panorama, People, Rights :: Permalink :: Comments

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