http://www.investigativeproject.org/2170/trial-exposes-charity-abuse
“Trial Exposes Charity Abuse”
by Stephen I. Landman
IPT News
September 8, 2010
EUGENE, Ore. -
SNIPPET: “In the five years since its indictment on allegations that the al Haramain Islamic Foundation (AHF) had funneled money to Chechen rebels, Pete Seda’s now-defunct organization has wrangled with government attorneys over allegations that the government conducted unlawful surveillance, seized assets without a warrant, and overstepped its authority under the Patriot Act in seeking foreign bank records. And while at its core, this is a criminal tax case against Pirouz Sedaghaty, aka Pete Seda, the outcome has broader implications for the continuing efforts to counter-terrorist financing.
But in many ways, Seda’s prosecution followed a familiar script. Prosecutors presented evidence showing that despite a façade of charity and moderation, al Haramain was surreptitiously funneling money out of the country and possibly into the hands of Chechen mujahideen, all under the guise of humanitarian efforts.”
http://www.investigativeproject.org/2173/founder-of-islamic-charity-convicted
“Founder of Islamic Charity Convicted”
IPT News
September 10, 2010
SNIPPET: “After a week-long trial, a federal court in Eugene, Oregon has convicted Pete Seda, the founder of an Islamic charity accused of funneling $150,000 to Chechen mujahideen.”