Trial of Goran Gogic Derails Due to Alleged Jury Bribery
In a shocking turn of events, the trial of Goran Gogic, a former professional heavyweight boxer accused of drug smuggling, was derailed Monday when three individuals were arrested for reportedly attempting to bribe a juror. Just as the jury was poised to hear opening statements in Brooklyn, a judge dismissed the jury after learning of the alleged bribery attempt involving a substantial sum of up to $100,000. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn confirmed that moving forward, an anonymous jury will be convened when proceedings resume in a month.
Charges Against Gogic
Gogic, who hails from Montenegro, is facing serious charges related to a conspiracy to smuggle approximately 20 tons of cocaine from Colombia to Europe via U.S. ports, using cargo ships for the illicit operation. He has pleaded not guilty to these allegations, and his attorney has yet to make a statement regarding the unfolding events. Law enforcement labeled Gogic as a significant player in the drug trafficking sphere, highlighting his operations as occurring on a large scale.
Background of Goran Gogic
The former athlete, who fought professionally from 2001 until 2012 with a record of 21 wins, 4 losses, and 2 draws, was noted to stand 6 feet 5 inches tall and weigh between 227 and 250 pounds. According to legal documents filed in a federal court in Brooklyn, the bribery scheme unfolded over several days, culminating in the dramatic dismissal of the jury.
Details of the Bribery Scheme
The criminal complaint revealed details of one of the accused, Mustafa Fteja, who allegedly had prior contact with a juror referred to in court documents as “John Doe #1“. Fteja made several calls to the juror and arranged a meeting in Staten Island, where he allegedly offered a bribe to sway the juror’s voting towards a not guilty verdict. During a subsequent meeting, Fteja reportedly raised the bribe amount to between $50,000 and $100,000, aimed at corrupting the trial’s outcome.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Authorities have indicated that they recorded conversations between the defendants, captured in both Albanian and English, detailing the bribery scheme. As the legal proceedings continue, the identities of attorneys representing Fteja and the other individuals involved in the jury tampering are not yet known. Gogic, facing charges under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act, could be sentenced to anywhere from ten years to life if found guilty.
Significance of the Case
Prosecutors noted that U.S. law enforcement intercepted three significant shipments of cocaine linked to this scheme, with one shipment valued at over $1 billion seized at the Port of Philadelphia in June 2019. This undercover operation underscores the ongoing battle against drug trafficking via maritime routes in the U.S.
