NY Business Man Funnels Money To Terrorist Camps

September 29, 2009--A New York businessman accused of trying to
funnel money to a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan pleaded
guilty Tuesday to charges of terrorism financing and conspiracy to
commit wire fraud.
Abdul Tawala Ibn Ali Alishtari entered his plea before a federal
judge in Manhattan. He could face up to 25 years in prison when he
is sentenced.
Alishtari, 56, of suburban Ardsley, had been accused of
accepting an unspecified amount of money to transfer $152,000 that
he believed was being sent to Pakistan and Afghanistan to support
the camp. Prosecutors say Alishtari, also known as Michael Mixon,
believed the money would be used to buy night vision goggles and
other equipment.
He also pleaded guilty to stealing millions of dollars from
victims through his fraudulent operation of a loan investment
program.
In 2003, Alishtari donated $20,000 to the National Republican
Senatorial Committee. The committee renounced the contribution and
gave it away to charity after news reports identified Alishtari as
an NRSC "Inner Circle Member for Life."
Alishtari also donated more than $15,000 to the National
Republican Congressional Committee. An NRCC spokeswoman has said
the committee will donate the money to charity if Alishtari is
convicted.