SEATTLE -- A Kirkland man accused of turning to a motorcycle gaxxx to collect a $35,000 debt has been charged with extortion.
King County prosecutors contend Robert D. Golden loaned a Redmond man the money to launch a business, then three years later sold that debt to the Bandidos Motorcycle Club.
According to charging documents, Golden, 39, threatened that Bandidos members would attack the borrower and destroy his business. Described by the FBI as an outlaw motorcycle gaxxx, Bandidos members have been tied to drug trafficking in Washington and several slayings elsewhere.
The alleged victim met Golden on a fishing trip several years ago, and the men became friends. Golden ultimately loaned the man $35,000 to start a retail business, a debt prosecutors say Golden has since sold to the Bandidos motorcycle gaxxx.
On informing the man that the Bandidos owned his debt, Golden also said - during a meeting attended by the Seattle-area head of the Bandidos - the business owner now owed the gaxxx $57,500, due immediately, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Susan Storey said in charging documents. As police looked on via video surveillance set up in the business, Golden purportedly forced the man to sign over the titles to several motorcycles, a boat and a truck.
Golden and an alleged accomplice have been charged with extortion. No charges have been filed against the Bandidos chapter president.
"The evidence shows that the defendants threatened the victim with violence if he did not comply with their demands," Storey told the court. "Particularly given (Golden's) … admitted association with the outlaw Bandidos motorcycle gaxxx, there is reason to believe that these defendants will continue to pose a threat."
Golden loaned the 61-year-old business owner $35,000
when the business was launched three years ago. The pair authored a one-page
document detailing the loan terms that didn't state how or when the loan would
be repaid, or what interest would accrue.
Months before the loan was sold to the Bandidos, Golden phoned the alleged victim and demanded the money be repaid. It was not.
In mid-November, Golden came to the alleged victim's shop, accompanied by a man police claim is president of the North Seattle Bandidos chapter.
That man previously testified against several Hells Angels during a 2007 federal racketeering prosecution. At trial, the man described himself as an active member of the Bandidos.
Golden informed the business owner that the Bandidos now owned his debt, which had now climbed to $57,500, a 78.6 percent increase. Concerned for his safety, the business owner contacted the police days later.
Having met with detectives, the man returned to his shop to find Golden, the Bandidos president and a third man waiting for him. According to charging documents, the Bandidos president suggested the business owner repay his debt immediately.
"We need to get this addressed," the man told Golden before turning to the business owner.
"If this goes on too long it's going to affect my family and we don't want that," the Bandidos president said, according to charging documents. "I've enjoyed the time we've had together. … Just take care of it."
A week later, Golden contacted the shop owner and again demanded he pay up immediately, a Redmond detective told the court. The shop owner described Golden as "ranting and raving."
Concerned for the man's safety, detectives listened in on a recorded phone call between Golden and the shop owner. According to charging documents, Golden threatened the shop owner's business and personal health.
"You really understand what's going on?" Golden asked rhetorically, according to charging papers. "They get stuff, that's what they do. They're gonna shut the whole thing down. … That's their money. They don't care about you. They want the money.
"These people hurt people."
Golden went on to claim he has worked for the Bandidos in the past and knows what gaxxx members are willing to do.
"Do I have to worry about being beat up?" the shop owner asked Golden.
"For the lack of a better word, that's the least of your worries," Golden responded, according to charging documents.
Golden told the man he had three days to pay his entire debt, or the Bandidos would start charging $9,500 a day in interest.
Redmond and Seattle police detectives then set up surveillance at the business and staged officers nearby in case violence appeared imminent.
Arriving on Dec. 21 in a BMW 7 Series sedan, Golden and codefendant Robert A. Edwards III entered the shop to speak with the business owner. Golden and the business owner began talking about the debt, which upset Golden.
Claiming he expected to be repaid in 2011, Golden demanded the business owner sign over the titles to his truck, boat and several motorcycles, a Redmond detective told the court.
Charged with extortion alongside Golden, Edwards is alleged to have assisted Golden during his Dec. 21 visit to the shop.
Police waiting nearby arrested Edwards, 35, as he got into an SUV he and Golden had just seized from the business owner, the detective continued. Golden ran out of the business and dashed for about 200 feet before an officer took him into custody.
Golden was jailed on $500,000 bail but has since posted bond. Edwards, a Riverside, Calif., resident, was also released after posting bond. Both men have been charged with first-degree extortion.
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Charge-Lender-turned-to-bikers-for-extortion-185500692.html
Months before the loan was sold to the Bandidos, Golden phoned the alleged victim and demanded the money be repaid. It was not.
In mid-November, Golden came to the alleged victim's shop, accompanied by a man police claim is president of the North Seattle Bandidos chapter.
That man previously testified against several Hells Angels during a 2007 federal racketeering prosecution. At trial, the man described himself as an active member of the Bandidos.
Golden informed the business owner that the Bandidos now owned his debt, which had now climbed to $57,500, a 78.6 percent increase. Concerned for his safety, the business owner contacted the police days later.
Having met with detectives, the man returned to his shop to find Golden, the Bandidos president and a third man waiting for him. According to charging documents, the Bandidos president suggested the business owner repay his debt immediately.
"We need to get this addressed," the man told Golden before turning to the business owner.
"If this goes on too long it's going to affect my family and we don't want that," the Bandidos president said, according to charging documents. "I've enjoyed the time we've had together. … Just take care of it."
A week later, Golden contacted the shop owner and again demanded he pay up immediately, a Redmond detective told the court. The shop owner described Golden as "ranting and raving."
Concerned for the man's safety, detectives listened in on a recorded phone call between Golden and the shop owner. According to charging documents, Golden threatened the shop owner's business and personal health.
"You really understand what's going on?" Golden asked rhetorically, according to charging papers. "They get stuff, that's what they do. They're gonna shut the whole thing down. … That's their money. They don't care about you. They want the money.
"These people hurt people."
Golden went on to claim he has worked for the Bandidos in the past and knows what gaxxx members are willing to do.
"Do I have to worry about being beat up?" the shop owner asked Golden.
"For the lack of a better word, that's the least of your worries," Golden responded, according to charging documents.
Golden told the man he had three days to pay his entire debt, or the Bandidos would start charging $9,500 a day in interest.
Redmond and Seattle police detectives then set up surveillance at the business and staged officers nearby in case violence appeared imminent.
Arriving on Dec. 21 in a BMW 7 Series sedan, Golden and codefendant Robert A. Edwards III entered the shop to speak with the business owner. Golden and the business owner began talking about the debt, which upset Golden.
Claiming he expected to be repaid in 2011, Golden demanded the business owner sign over the titles to his truck, boat and several motorcycles, a Redmond detective told the court.
Charged with extortion alongside Golden, Edwards is alleged to have assisted Golden during his Dec. 21 visit to the shop.
Police waiting nearby arrested Edwards, 35, as he got into an SUV he and Golden had just seized from the business owner, the detective continued. Golden ran out of the business and dashed for about 200 feet before an officer took him into custody.
Golden was jailed on $500,000 bail but has since posted bond. Edwards, a Riverside, Calif., resident, was also released after posting bond. Both men have been charged with first-degree extortion.
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Charge-Lender-turned-to-bikers-for-extortion-185500692.html
