Local Businessman Linked to Radio Fraudhttp://www.kcuf.com/station/press.html
November 13, 2000
ANNAPOLIS, MD (Maryland Gazette) - Recent arrests in McLean, VA's KCUF radio case have landed a local man in jail for the indefinite future while investigators ponder the role he has played in the reckless corruption, drug dealing and back alley politics that have defined the case.
Local businessman Clyde Taylor, arraigned on three counts of wire fraud and deceptive advertising, maintained a stoic unbroken face while prosecutors read a list of 53 charges against him and his one-time tax shelter, non-profit radio station KCUF.
KCUF, broadcasting from Austin, Texas, has recently become a popular destination for Internet surfers seeking esoterica and relaxation in unusual music. Its format of jazz, electronic, classical and noisier genres like metal or hardcore made it a favorite for those who crave extreme variation.
"I liked it, even after I knew what those people had been doing," says Jennifer Harrington, a sophomore at George Mason University and frequent surfer of Internet music channels. "Although their minds obviously were corrupt, they had a great sense of music."
Investigators are still unsure how the 43-year-old Taylor managed to launder money through the non-profit organization, but suspect sales of equipment and services through businesses "linked in the partner- ship that provided (the) radio station," said FBI investigator Marc Dowling.
He added that the decisive evidence would come from the 40-odd computers, laptops and PDAs confiscated from the office by FBI/BATF task force peacekeepers. "Only time can tell how deeply these guys are involved," Dowling said.
Suspect Caught, Held by National Guardsmen
06:13 02/13/01
ARLINGTON, TX (Nassau News Services, Inc.) Phil "Dogger" Herschfeld knew a good opportunity when he saw it.
"We had over 40 agents in the field looking for this guy, when he was standing right in front of me," said Herschfeld, who had gone to pick up his daughter at a Greyhound station when he saw the suspect.
The suspect, 27-year-old Craig Smith of Houston, TX, was fleeing police arrest warrants for
accusations ranging from shoplifting to hate crimes in three states. "He's a real Renaissance
man as far as criminals go," said Sheriff L.T. "Bud" McClosky.
Smith was initially sought after his connection to a little-known radio station and the larger fraud case surrounding it. "We were looking for this guy who had put together the whole money laundering operation, and we knew he was a Nazi."
Herschfeld notified local authorities as soon as he identified the suspect, who was promptly
detained. "He went quietly. I guess having five guys with M-16s surround you can do that,"
Herschfeld said.
KCUF, which broadcasted a range of underground and esoteric music, was halted by station directors earlier this month amist mounting accusations of money laundering, drug dealing, hate crimes and sexual misconduct.