Accused Muttontown slaveholders Varsha and Mahender Sabhnani got a double-dose of bad news when they made a court appearance Friday.
First, the couple learned they would not be let out on bail. Attorneys for the Sabhnanis said the couple did everything the court instructed them to do aside from providing a report of assets. The fault for not turning over that list lies with the banks for not releasing the information, attorneys claim.
Federal prosecutors in the case then said further charges might be filed against the Sabhnanis. Prosecutors also announced the possibility of more suspects being indicted.
Attorneys for the accused couple believe the federal prosecutor?s announcement of future charges shows the prosecution?s rush to criminalize their clients.
?I can?t imagine how they could credibly charge anyone else in this case,? said Varsha Sabhnani?s attorney, Jeffery Hoffman. ?I think this case has been a rush to judgment.?
Judge Thomas Platt said if the bank information is not made available soon, he might send federal marshals to retrieve the information. Hoffman said if that?s the case, he expects the couple to be out on bail by next week.
Related information: Eighth bail hearing comes and goes in slave case