United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

TWO INDICTED IN COUNTERFEITING CONSPIRACY

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven returned an Indictment today charging YOSSI MIKHALSON, 44, a citizen of Israel, and GOA ZIZOV, 45, a citizen of Israel residing in Bridgeport, each with one count of passing counterfeit currency with intent to defraud, one count of possessing counterfeit currency with intent to defraud, and one count of conspiracy.

The indictment alleges that MIKHALSON and ZIZOV engaged in a scheme to convert counterfeit $100 Federal Reserve notes into genuine currency by using the counterfeit money to purchase merchandise at various national chain stores.  MIKHALSON and ZIZOV would then return the merchandise to a different location of the same store and obtain genuine currency in return.  MIKHALSON and ZIZOV are alleged to have possessed and aided and abetted the possession of approximately $3,000 in counterfeit $100 Federal Reserve notes.

If convicted, MIKHALSON and ZIZOV each faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000 on the charges of passing and possessing counterfeit currency with intent to defraud, and a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000 on the conspiracy charge.

MIKHALSON and ZIZOV have been detained since their arrests on April 13, 2008.

Acting U.S. Attorney Dannehy stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are entitled to a fair trial at which it is the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Milford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Susan L. Wines.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov