Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Boston church official pleads not guilty to racketeering, extortion, conspiracy charges




Published May 28, 2013

Associated Press


BOSTON – A Boston church official who claimed in an autobiography that he was a leg-breaker for reputed gangster James "Whitey" Bulger has pleaded not guilty to charges that he looted the church's assets.

Edward MacKenzie Jr. is the former director of operations at the Boston Society of the New Jerusalem Church, whose members belong to the Swedenborgian denomination.

MacKenzie was arrested last week after a grand jury indicted him on charges including racketeering and extortion.

Federal authorities say MacKenzie looted the church of its considerable financial assets through fraud, deceit, extortion, theft and bribery.

MacKenzie pleaded not guilty Tuesday to all 14 charges against him. Each count carries a maximum 20-year sentence.

His bail hearing was postponed until June 26 after a new defense attorney requested more time.



Source: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/05/28/boston-church-official-pleads-not-guilty-to-racketeering-extortion-conspiracy/#ixzz2UcvQ8Qkb
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