Alexander brothers prosecutors rest early, alleging defense intimidated victims out of testifying | amNewYork

"Prosecutors alleged intimidation tactics by defense attorneys resulted in two victims backing out of taking the stand. On Friday, the government referenced their earlier accusation of defense attorneys of hiring an investigator to pose as an insurance agent in January and talk to neighbors of a woman planning to testify, including asking about her minor children."

"She and another woman, identified in court filings as Victim-5, were expected to testify about being raped by the Alexanders in the Hamptons in 2009. The government indicated one would not testify without the other, and the two charges associated with the women are likely to be dropped."

"Defense attorneys maintain the brothers have an alibi that they were in New York City, not the Hamptons, over the June 2009 weekend in question and suggested the victims backed out because there was evidence against their story."

The defense team for brothers Alon, Oren, and Tal Alexander began presenting their case in a federal sex trafficking trial in New York. Prosecutors alleged that defense attorneys hired an investigator to pose as an insurance agent and contact neighbors of a planned witness, including inquiries about her minor children. This intimidation tactic caused two victims to withdraw from testifying about alleged 2009 rapes in the Hamptons. The government indicated both charges related to these women would likely be dropped. Defense attorneys claim the brothers have an alibi placing them in New York City during the June 2009 weekend in question and suggest the victims withdrew due to evidence contradicting their accounts.

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