A Florida man is fighting extradition to Thailand, claiming he is being set up for a life sentence by a Las Vegas billionaire who has high-level connections in Thailand and is trying to steal his business idea.
Shawn Abraham Shaw, 43, is accused by Thai authorities of drugging and kidnapping the businessman, identified only as AMA, when the two met in Thailand. Mr Shaw allegedly tied the man up and threatened to kill him if he didn’t pay $3 million.
Mr Shaw was arrested at his girlfriend’s apartment in Palm Beach, a wealthy resort town in Florida, on Nov 26. Details of the case emerged during a preliminary court hearing on Friday, the Palm Beach Post reported.
Attorney Michael Cohen, representing Mr Shaw, told the court that the businessman had trumped up the charges against his client.
"This man is a billionaire," he said of the alleged victim, who lives in Las Vegas but travels frequently to Asia. The businessman is also well-connected with senior figures in Thailand, the lawyer said.
Describing both men as "gym rats", Mr Cohen said the two became acquainted while working out at the same fitness centre when Mr Shaw lived in Las Vegas. When Mr Shaw came up with an idea to recover millions in uncashed gambling chips, he travelled to Thailand to see if AMA would be interested.
Mr Shaw and his girlfriend stayed in AMA's house and left on good terms in mid-December 2013, the court was told. It was only after negotiations for the business venture fell through that AMA concocted the kidnapping tale and got Thailand officials to file charges, said Mr Cohen.
"The so-called extortion never took place," he said.
US Magistrate William Matthewman gave Mr Cohen and federal prosecutor Aurora Fagan until the end of the month to submit legal briefs, outlining what power he has when deciding whether someone should be extradited to a country that has a treaty with the United States, as Thailand does.
A bail hearing is scheduled for Jan 15, followed by an extradition hearing on Jan 28.