Accused Rapist's Lawyer Gets Busted Himself

Christos Vasiliades allegedly threatened victim with deportation
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted May 25, 2017 8:01 AM CDT
Defense Lawyer Allegedly Threatened Rape Victim With Deportation
The courthouse in Baltimore.   (Wikimedia)

A now-deleted website for Christos Vasiliades described him as an "aggressive" Baltimore attorney "dedicated to client service." Authorities say he's so dedicated, in fact, that he tried to bribe an alleged rape victim so she wouldn't testify against his client, suggested that she beat him up instead, and threatened her with deportation, reports the Baltimore Sun. Vasiliades, 38, was arrested in court Tuesday after the husband of the alleged victim told authorities about an offer he'd made the couple during an April meeting. During a second meeting on May 18, during which the victim's husband wore a wire, Vasiliades allegedly said his client was "very sorry" and would pay $3,000 if the couple failed to show up to his trial for assault, rape, and other sex offenses.

Referring to his client, Vasiliades said that in his home country of Greece, "we would go [expletive] him up," according to an indictment. "I think you should find him and kick his ass, personally," he reportedly added, per NBC News. Vasiliades also told the couple there was a "high risk" they would be deported if they appeared in court because immigration officials would be present, authorities say. "You know how things are with Trump's laws now; someone goes to court, and boom, they get taken away," he allegedly said. "This is terrible. This is as bad as it gets," Maryland AG Brian Frosh tells CBS Baltimore, adding to the Sun that "if you're an immigrant, you live in a climate of fear at this point, and these folks were trying to capitalize on that." Vasiliades and his interpreter were arraigned Wednesday on charges of obstruction of justice and witness intimidation. Both pleaded not guilty. (More Baltimore stories.)

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