http://www.mercurycenter.com/premium/local/docs/reddy14a.htm


Published Wednesday, June 14, 2000, in the San Jose Mercury News



Morals case to change
New indictment on immigration of girls
BY ALEXIS CHIU
Mercury News


The federal prosecutor in a case against a prominent Berkeley landlord and
his son who are charged with bringing Indian girls into the country
illegally said he expects a new indictment by August.


Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kennedy, appearing at a status hearing Tuesday
in federal court in Oakland, would not, however, divulge whether the new
indictment would contain additional charges, defendants or perhaps fewer
counts.


The indictment would ``supersede'' the current indictment, which charges
Lakireddy Bali Reddy with numerous immigration law violations, including
bringing foreigners to the United States illegally for immoral purposes. His
son, Vijay Kumar Lakireddy, is accused of visa fraud.


At the hearing, attorneys for the two told the judge they plan to file
motions that some charges be dismissed.


Reddy, 62, and his 30-year-old son are free on bail. Neither appeared in
court; they are not required to attend status hearings.


Reddy, a landlord and restaurateur whose assets have been valued at more
than $50 million, allegedly used high-tech visas secured by his son to bring
girls into the country so they could work in his businesses and have sex
with him.


Other foreigners allegedly were brought into the country so they could
pretend to be the girls' relatives.


Police first came into contact with Reddy after a teen girl was found dead
at the Reddy-owned Berkeley Park Apartments in November.


While the teen's death was ruled accidental, caused by an improperly
ventilated gas heater, authorities soon received an anonymous letter about
the alleged scheme and began investigating.


The next hearing in the case is scheduled Sept. 12.


Contact Alexis Chiu at achiu@sjmercury.com or (510) 790-7313.