Closing arguments done in Yassine case

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The prosecution in the federal drug and money-laundering trial of downtown businessmen Mike, Steve and Hadi Yassine summed its case Wednesday by defending the cousin who testified against the three brothers.

"Sometimes it takes a crook to catch a crook," one of the lawyers told jurors in closing arguments.

The defense wrapped up its closing arguments by 3 p.m. Wednesday. The jury deliberated for two hours before agreeing to recess and return on Thursday morning.

The lawyer's closing statement referred to Mo Yassine, who had secretly been working with federal authorities to build their case against the owners of several nightspots in the Sixth Street district of Downtown Austin. While giving testimony that linked his cousins to drugs and laundered money, Mo Yassine also acknowledged that he had used drugs while workin with the FBI.

Attorney David Botsford, representing Mike Yassine, asked the jury to send a message to what he said was an overzealous law enforcement effort.

"It's not right and not fair for the government to create crimes," he said as he summed up. He said his client had no idea drug money had entered his nightclub.

Closing arguments began Wednesday morning in U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks' courtroom.

• Photos: Sketches during federal trial

Testimony ended Tuesday with the defense calling no witnesses.

The last witness called by the prosecution was a former bouncer and officer worker for Yassine Enterprises.

Rommel Gomez, a Venezuela national, says Mike Yassine was asked him to dispose of a pink bag by putting it in a neighboring dumpster on the day of April 30, 2009.

That is the same day Mo Yassine, the Yassine cousin turned FBI informant, brought $100,000 in drug money inside a pink bag to Yassine Enterprises. Money the government says was laundered.

Gomez also testified that Mike and Steve Yassine made comments about Mo, calling him a drug dealer, a scammer, and a drunk.

Last week, defense attorneys tried to argue that their clients did not know the money was associated with drug deals.

Mike Yassine’s attorney David Botsford took aim at Gomez’s relationship with the government during cross-examination.

Gomez admitted that he is in the United State illegally and was arrested for fraud after obtaining two social security numbers.

As a part of his testimony, Gomez testified that the government promised him benefits that would allow him to serve less time for his crimes.