U.S. Appellate Court Upholds Cash Smuggling Conviction

On January 30, 2007, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit largely affirmed the convictions of two persons for cash smuggling and making false statements. On November 8, 2003, Krikor and Zenda Tatoyan were about to board a flight from Los Angeles to Paris when Chung Lou, conducting currency enforcement examinations of passengers on that flight, approached them and asked how much money they were carrying. Zenda Tatoyan responded that she was carrying exactly $10,000.00. Although a person is required to complete Customs Form 4790 only if she is carrying more than $10,000.00, Lou asked Zenda to complete the form. She did so, declaring that she was carrying only $10,000.00 ... [more]