Kantzabedian Enters Plea in Structuring Case

Abraham Kantzabedian.  Photo courtesy Maui Police.

By Wendy Osher

A Maui man pleaded guilty on Friday to structuring over $100,000 in currency deposits.

Abraham Kantzabedian, 54, of Kula pleaded guilty to two counts of structuring the deposits into financial institutions for the purpose of evading federal reporting requirements.

Kantzabedian also agreed to forfeit his ownership in two vehicles that were purchased with a portion of the deposits, officials said.

According to information produced in court, Kantzabedian made 25 cash deposits (all under $10,000) from July 7, 2008 through October 28, 2008 totaling $55,300, and 15 cash deposits (all under $10,000) from May 13, 2009 through June 22, 2009 totaling $45,650.

The Kula man was arrested in February for the alleged impersonation of a US officer, which sparked the investigation.

Kantzabedian faces up to five years in jail and up to $250,000 on each count when he is sentenced on the structuring counts on November 8.