Jacob Ostreicher
{{short description|American businessman and investor (born 1959)}}
{{Infobox criminal
| name = Jacob Ostreicher
| image_name = Jacob Ostreicher in Santa Cruz.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| image_caption = Jacob Ostreicher in Santa Cruz, Palmasola Prison
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1959|2|7}}
| birth_place = Brooklyn, New York
| death_date =
| death_place =
| charge =
| conviction_penalty =
| conviction_status =
| occupation = Businessman, investor
| spouse =
| parents = David Ostreicher
Violet Ostreicher
}}
Jacob Ostreicher (born February 7, 1959) is an American businessman and investor. In June 2011, he was arrested in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, while overseeing a rice growing agricultural venture that he had invested in, and was jailed for 18 months on suspicion of money laundering, though he was never formally charged. Ostreicher maintained his innocence and stated that the allegations by the Bolivian government were "the scam of the century".{{cite news|last=Moran|first=Terry|title=American Sits Almost a Year With No Charges in Isolated Bolivian Prison|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/american-investor-sits-year-isolated-bolivian-prison-uncharged/story?id=16329344#.T62CLVKO0yI|accessdate=11 May 2012|newspaper=ABC News - Nightline|date=11 May 2012}}{{cite news|last=Lipman|first=Jennifer|title=Rally to support Orthodox man jailed in Bolivia|url=http://www.thejc.com/news/world-news/67095/rally-support-orthodox-man-jailed-bolivia|accessdate=3 May 2012|newspaper=THE JEWISH CHRONICLE ONLINE|date=May 3, 2012}} His family and friends initiated a public effort to plea for his release, and actor-activist Sean Penn visited Ostreicher in Bolivia and pledged to work for his release.
On December 18, 2012, Ostreicher was released from prison on $14,000 bail and placed under house arrest. Bolivian officials were later arrested for what authorities state was an extortion ring.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/28/world/americas/bolivian-officials-arrested-in-plot-to-extort-new-york-businessman.html |title=Bolivian Officials Arrested in Plot To Extort New York Businessman |date=27 November 2012 |work=The New York Times |accessdate=14 February 2013 |agency=Associated Press}} On December 16, 2013, Ostreicher arrived in the United States after 30 months in Bolivia. It was unclear how he managed to flee the country.
Background
=Personal life=
=Bolivian investment and arrest=
A group of investors, including Ostreicher and Geneva lawyer Andre Zolty, invested at least $25 million in a rice farming project in Bolivia in 2008. Zolty stated that the idea originally came from Claudia Liliana Rodriguez who he had worked with in Geneva. The investors became concerned with irregularities and suspected that Rodriguez was cheating them. Ostreicher was dispatched to Bolivia to handle the situation, and pursued criminal charges against Rodriguez. The investors also state that Rodriguez became involved in a romantic and financial relationship with a drug trafficker by the name of Maximiliano Dorado.{{cite web|title=For Brooklyn Entrepreneur, Bolivian Jail and an Actor's Aid |author=Joseph Berger |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/02/nyregion/from-brooklyn-to-bolivian-rice-venture-prison-and-sean-penns-help.html?_r=0 |work=The New York Times |date=1 January 2013 |accessdate=14 February 2013}}
Dorado was arrested in 2010, and was imprisoned in Brazil.
On June 4, 2011, after an initial investigation, Ostreicher was arrested for suspicion of money laundering and criminal organization.{{cite news|title=Empresario agrícola recupera su libertad|url=http://www.eldia.com.bo/index.php?cat=362&pla=3&id_articulo=74436 |newspaper=El Día|date=September 24, 2011}} The prosecutors also claimed that one of the investors, Andre Zolty, was under investigation in Switzerland, however, the Swiss authorities have denied this.{{cite news|last1=Bajak |first1=Frank |last2=Flores |first2=Paola |title=US man sits 10 months in Bolivian jail, uncharged|url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-04/D9TUS2DO0.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606202710/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-04/D9TUS2DO0.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 6, 2012|accessdate=2 May 2012|newspaper=Associated Press}} Rodriguez has also been arrested. Ostreicher was imprisoned at Palmasola prison.{{cite news|last=Egea|first=Manuel|title=Latin American prisons are 'territories of the underworld'|url=http://infosurhoy.com/cocoon/saii/xhtml/en_GB/features/saii/features/society/2009/12/17/feature-02|accessdate=2 May 2012|newspaper=Infosurhoy.com|date=2009-12-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519180645/http://infosurhoy.com/cocoon/saii/xhtml/en_GB/features/saii/features/society/2009/12/17/feature-02|archive-date=19 May 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
Ostreicher was brought before a judge who after several hearings ordered for him to be released on September 23, 2011.{{cite news|last=Valdez |first=Carlos |title=US businessman gets out of Bolivian jail|url=http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2011/09/haredi-businessman-freed-from-bolivian-prison-123.html|date=2011-09-26}} However the judge reversed his decision a week later. A month later the judge was promoted and a new judge was assigned to the case. Following several postponements, the second judge recused himself from the case; no other judge had yet to be assigned.{{cite news|title=US Orthodox Jew sits 10 months in Palmasola, a Bolivian jail, uncharged|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-orthodox-jew-sits-10-months-in-bolivian-jail-uncharged/|newspaper=The Times of Israel}}
A marriage certificate showing Ostreicher was married in Bolivia was entered into evidence during the September 23 hearing. Ostreicher denied that he was married to a Bolivian.
Ostreicher was visited by actor Sean Penn on October 31, 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.opinion.com.bo/opinion/articulos/2012/1107/noticias.php?id=76825 |title=Sean Penn visitó a su compatriota preso en cárcel de Santa Cruz |newspaper=Opinión |date= 7 November 2012 |accessdate=19 November 2012}}{{cite news |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j1UT8obwWSfQ2UhVe4EyshT-Nu0A?docId=fff3e2709b424281918b2e9e87f2e080 |title=Penn gets multiple requests in Bolivia |date=31 October 2012 |publisher=Associated Press |accessdate=19 November 2012}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
Bolivian law allows for imprisonment without charge for 18 months during the investigative phase.{{cite web|title=2010 Human Rights Report: Bolivia|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/wha/154495.htm|publisher=U.S. Department of State|quote=the law establishes that a case's investigatory phase cannot exceed a maximum of 18 months}} Since Ostreicher was arrested in early June 2011, the 18-month mark occurred in early December 2012.
Ostreicher appeared in a hearing on Tuesday, December 11, and the judge ordered that the case be sent back to the lower court. Actor Penn was present at the hearing.{{cite news |title=Bolivian appeals court does not release N.Y. Jewish businessman |url=http://www.jta.org/news/article/2012/12/12/3114331/bolivian-appeals-court-does-not-release-haredi-orthodox-ny-businessman |newspaper=JTA |date=12 December 2012 |accessdate=13 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121218110926/http://www.jta.org/news/article/2012/12/12/3114331/bolivian-appeals-court-does-not-release-haredi-orthodox-ny-businessman |archive-date=18 December 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} On December 18, Ostreicher was released from prison on $14,000 bail and was placed under house arrest.{{cite news |title=Jacob Ostreicher released from Bolivian prison |url=http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/67337/jacob-ostreicher-released-from-bolivian-prison/ |newspaper=Jweekly |date= 20 December 2012 |accessdate=20 December 2012}}
Government extortion ring
Fifteen people, including prosecutors, government officials, and the judge who originally had Ostreicher imprisoned, were arrested in what authorities say was an extortion ring.{{cite news |title=7 Bolivian Officials Arrested, Accused of Extorting Jailed American Man |author1=Lauren Effron |author2=Alex Waterfield |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/bolivian-officials-arrested-accused-extorting-jailed-american-man/story?id=17830444#.UMl5FW9ZWad |newspaper=ABC News |date=28 November 2012 |accessdate=13 December 2012}}{{cite news |title=Extortion of American Stings Bolivian Officials |author1=Carlos Valdez |author2=Frank Bajak |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/extortion-american-stings-bolivian-officials |newspaper=AP |date=10 December 2012 |accessdate=13 December 2012 |archive-date=11 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311151929/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/extortion-american-stings-bolivian-officials |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/sean-penn-says-hes-with-businessman-wanted-in-bolivia/|title=Sean Penn says he's with businessman wanted in Bolivia|website=Fox News |date=17 December 2013|access-date=20 December 2013|agency=Associated Press}} They include:
- Gustavo Dagner Cespedes Rosales - arrested on 11/27/2012. Minister of Government's Representative in Santa Cruz.
- Fernando Rivera Tardio - arrested on 11/28/2012. Judicial Counsel for the Minister of Government. One of the ring leaders of "The Red". Attended most of Jacob Ostreicher's hearings and threatened judges openly with arrest if they were to release Jacob.
- Denis Efrain Rodas Limachi – arrested on 11/29/2012. Worked together with Fernando Rivera Tardio.
- Jose Manuel Antezana Pinaya – arrested on 11/26/2012. Worked in the office of the Ministry of Presidency.
- Roberto Isabelino Gomez Cervero - arrested on 12/3/2012. Former District Attorney of Santa Cruz Bolivia.
- Miguel Alberto Gutierrez Soliz - arrested on 12/3/2012. Lawyer for DIRCABI (Government Division in charge of confiscated goods).
- Mosies Aguilera Lopez - arrested on 12/11/2012. Administrator of DIRCABI.
- Janet Velarde Luna - arrested on 12/8/2012. Lead Prosecutor in Ostreicher case until she requested transfer to another division in 2013.
- Roberto Acha Arandia - arrested on 12/20/2012. Prosecutor in tandem with Janet Velarde Luna (was removed in 2013 after a DUI).
- Cori Balcaza De Acha - arrested on 12/20/2012. Wife of Roberto Acha, implicated in extortion.
- Boris Villegas Rocabado - arrested on 12/11/12. Head of Internal Affairs.
- Ramiro Ordonez Lopez – arrested.
- Franklin Pedraza Suarez – under house arrest. Employee of DIRCABI.
- Ariel Rocha – arrest warrant issued on 12/19/2012. Fled the country.
Public campaigns
=Rally=
A rally was held for Ostreicher in front of the Bolivian Mission in New York City on May 3, 2012.{{cite news|last=Schmidt|first=Linda|title=Fox 5 NY with Linda Schmidt at the Free Jacob Ostreicher Rally featuring Dov Hikind|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH1Cpyux3UQ|accessdate=4 May 2012|newspaper=Fox 5 NY|date=May 3, 2012}} The rally was arranged by Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind.
=White House petition=
On May 3, 2012, supporters of Ostreicher initiated an online petition on the White House We the People website requesting the Obama Administration to assist in the effort to free Jacob. As of December 2, 2019, 35,958 people signed the petition. A total of 25,000 signatures were needed by June 2, 2012, in order to submit the petition to the White House; this requirement was met.
=Congressional hearings=
Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ){{cite web|title=US Congressman Chris Smith to hold hearing on Jacob Ostreicher|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul-jw8nP5ws|work=Youtube|publisher=tlseditor|accessdate=8 June 2012}} held a hearing in the Congress on June 6, 2012, to investigate the role that the United States Department of State has played in helping free Jacob from Bolivia.{{cite news|title=Rep. Smith Holds Hearing on Case of American Jacob Ostreicher: "The U.S. State Department's Inadequate Response to Human Rights Concerns in Bolivia"|url=http://www.americas-forum.com/rep-smith-holds-hearing-on-case-of-american-jacob-ostreicher-the-u-s-state-departments-inadequate-response-to-human-rights-concerns-in-bolivia/|accessdate=8 June 2012|newspaper=America's Forum|date=June 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002840/http://www.americas-forum.com/rep-smith-holds-hearing-on-case-of-american-jacob-ostreicher-the-u-s-state-departments-inadequate-response-to-human-rights-concerns-in-bolivia/|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
Hearings were also held on August 1, 2012, and May 20, 2013.{{cite web |url=http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/112/75388.pdf |title=Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress: Seeking Freedom for American Trapped in Bolivian Prison |date=1 August 2012 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |accessdate=19 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212032855/http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/112/75388.pdf |archive-date=12 December 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=305520 |title=American Businessman Trapped in Bolivia Topic of House Hearing |date=1 August 2012 |author=Office of Congressman Chris Smith |accessdate=19 November 2012}}{{cite web |url=https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo41774 |title=Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights, and International Organizations of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress: Advocating for American Jacob Ostreicher's Freedom after Two Years in Bolivian Detention |date=20 May 2013 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |accessdate=29 November 2013}}
Return to United States
On December 16, 2013, Ostreicher arrived in the US after 30 months in Bolivia.{{cite news |url=http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2013/12/jacob-ostreicher-free-234.html |title=Jacob Ostreicher Free |date=16 December 2013 |newspaper=FailedMessiah.com |accessdate=16 December 2013 |agency=FailedMessiah.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2013/12/breaking-exclusive-info-jacob-ostreicher-in-us-after-being-kidnapped.html |title=Jacob Ostreicher In US After Being Kidnapped from Bolivia |date=16 December 2013 |work=The Lakewood Scoop |accessdate=16 December 2013 |agency=TLS}}{{cite web|url=http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/206431/reports-jacob-ostreicher-has-been-released-from-bolivia-is-back-in-the-united-states.html |title=Jacob Ostreicher Has Been Released From Bolivia and is Back in The United States |date=16 December 2013 |work=Yeshiva World News |accessdate=16 December 2013}} He was reported to be in an undisclosed location with Sean Penn and receiving medical attention.{{cite web |url=http://www.jta.org/2013/12/24/news-opinion/united-states/ostreichers-flight-proves-his-guilt-bolivian-president-says|title=Ostreicher's flight proves his guilt, Bolivian president says|author=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|author-link=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|date=24 December 2013|accessdate=25 December 2013}} It was unclear how he had fled the country.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/18/nyregion/conflicting-tales-on-how-a-brooklyn-businessman-evaded-bolivian-custody.html?_r=0|title=Conflicting Tales on How a Brooklyn Businessman Evaded Bolivian Custody|first1=Joseph|last1=Berger|first2=William|last2=Neuman|date=17 December 2013|accessdate=20 December 2013|work=The New York Times}}
In May 2014 Ostreicher revealed that after his release, Penn had personally nursed him back to mental and physical health at the latter's home.{{cite web|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2014/05/21/orthodox-jewish-captive-jacob-ostreicher-recounts-how-sean-penn-nursed-him-back-to-health-in-his-own-home/ |title=Orthodox Jewish Captive Jacob Ostreicher Reveals How Sean Penn Nursed Him Back to Health in His Own Home |date=21 May 2014 |work=The Algemeiner |accessdate=23 May 2014}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
Sources
- {{cite news|last=Bajak |first=Frank|title=US businessman invests in Bolivia, ends up jailed|url=http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2011/08/the-real-pidyon-shvuyim-case-youve-probably-never-heard-of-456.html|accessdate=2 May 2012|newspaper=Associated Press/Failed Messiah|date=24 August 2011}}
- {{cite news|last=Guillén |first=Guider Arancibia |title= Canciller pide ayuda internacional para combatir el narcotráfico en el país |url=http://www.eldeber.com.bo |newspaper=El Deber |date=1 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015195658/http://www.eldeber.com.bo/ |archivedate=October 15, 2012 }}
- {{cite news|last=Te interesa esta noticia|title=Bolivia: 10 meses preso sin cargos|url=http://www.elpais.com.uy/120415/pinter-636184/internacional/bolivia-10-meses-preso-sin-cargos/}}
- {{cite web |last=Penn |first=Sean |title=Breached Piñatas |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sean-penn/jacob-ostreicher-released_b_2341809.html |work=The Huffington Post |date=20 December 2012 |accessdate=23 December 2012}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110923115959/https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/exercise-powers-vested-you-see-it-jacob-ostreicher-us-citizen-freed-bolivia White House petition to help free Ostreicher]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ostreicher, Jacob}}
Category:American Orthodox Jews
Category:American people imprisoned abroad