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Published Wednesday, September 13, 2000, in the San Jose Mercury News
More sex-case arrests expected
Berkeley landlord charged with importing minors
BY LISA FERNANDEZ
Mercury News
A federal prosecutor said in court Tuesday that the investigation into a
sex-and-fraud case against a prominent Berkeley landlord is widening,
indicating that more arrests are likely.
Appearing in an Oakland courtroom, Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kennedy said
a grand jury is expected to ``add additional defendants'' by Oct. 5 in the
case against Lakireddy Bali Reddy, 62, and his son, Vijay Kumar Lakireddy,
30.
Reddy was charged in January with eight felony counts, including importing
immigrants for immoral purposes and transporting minors for illegal sexual
activity. His son was charged with three counts, including submitting
fraudulent visa applications.
Father and son have entered not guilty pleas.
The two -- who are free on bail -- sat silently in court Tuesday, surrounded
by a handful of friends. At times, Lakireddy would circle his arms around
his father's back, as if in a hug. Reddy appeared tired and drawn.
According to prosecutors, the pair petitioned immigration officials for
visas on behalf of workers they claimed would be employed at one of their
companies, Active Tech Solutions in Berkeley. Instead, the workers were
employed at Reddy's apartment buildings, office buildings and restaurants,
according to authorities. Prosecutors allege that Reddy arranged for the
illegal entry of one woman and two girls into the United States and
repeatedly had sex with them. One of the girls died of carbon monoxide
poisoning in November in a Reddy-owned apartment. Her death helped spur the
investigation.
More defendants
Neither of the two defense attorneys -- Ted Cassman nor George Cotsirilos --
would comment on the prosecutor's announcement in court Tuesday. Kennedy did
not specify how many others could be charged, or what their alleged roles
are in the case. He also didn't exclude the possibility of filing more
charges against Reddy or his son.
In April, the Berkeley Police Department released sketches of three East Bay
men described as ``potential witnesses.'' Police Capt. Bobby Miller on
Tuesday said he had no idea if there was any connection between the men in
the sketches or any new suspects.
A third man was indicted in March in connection with the case and faces a
separate trial. Venkateswara Vemireddy was charged with two counts of
bringing an immigrant into the United States illegally and one related count
of conspiracy.
Charges questioned
During Tuesday's hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong
delayed a ruling about whether Reddy should be charged with two counts of
smuggling young girls from India for ``immoral purposes.'' Cassman, Reddy's
lawyer, had argued that the charges are ``archaic'' and ``unconstitutionally
vague.'' But federal prosecutors argued that the term can be extended to
having sex with a minor, which carries a ``near universal condemnation.''
Age probably will be a key issue as the case progresses: Prosecutors contend
two of the female immigrants were younger than 18. Reddy's lawyer maintains
his client believed they were older.
A small group of South Asian women attended Tuesday's court hearing, passing
out fliers saying that whatever a victim's age, the relationship with a boss
or anyone else in a dominant position puts them at a disadvantage.
``It is not possible to truly give consent to someone who holds your entire
livelihood in their hands. You have to be on even ground to give consent,''
said Shaily Matani, a spokeswoman for the Alliance of South Asians Taking
Action.
Mercury News Staff Writer Matthai Kuruvila contributed to this report.
Contact Lisa Fernandez at lfernandez@sjmercury.com
<mailto:lfernandez@sjmercury.com> or (510) 790-7313.
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