Cemhan Biricik Is A Flight Risk, Has Means To Escape, Faces Two Decades In Federal Prison.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher — The Boca Bridges homeowner arrested in an early morning FBI raid last week must remain locked up until trial. That’s the order of a federal judge, according to a document obtained by BocaNewsNow.com. Cemhan “Jimmy” Biricik is accused of massive healthcare fraud stemming from an allegedly fake COVID-19 testing company that he created in the early days of the pandemic.
The court order, written by United States Magistrate Judge Midori Lowry, states that prosecutors fear that Biricik will flee the county to Turkey if he is released on bond.
“The Court held a hearing today on the Government’s Motion for Pre-Trial Detention. ECF No. 3. Both sides proceeded by proffer. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Court found and announced that Defendant must be detained because the Government showed by a preponderance of the evidence that there is a serious risk that Defendant will flee (18 U. S. C. § 3142(f)(2)(A)) and that no conditions or combinations of conditions will reasonably assure his presence as required (18 U. S. C. § 3142(e)(1)). This order provides additional reasons for granting the Government’s motion.
Regarding the serious risk of flight, the Government showed that Defendant has motive, means, and the ability to flee. In particular, the healthcare fraud alleged in the indictment exceeds $500 million. The estimated sentencing guideline range for the offenses is 188-235 months. The length of the potential sentence gives Defendant a strong motive to flee.
Furthermore, Defendant personally was estimated to have received $50 million in fraudulent funds. Although some of Defendant’s property and funds have been seized, approximately $40 million remains unaccounted. The unaccounted funds give Defendant ample means to flee. Defendant also has the ability to flee. Defendant is a U. S. citizen, but he has significant ties to Turkey. His father and aunt live in Turkey, and Defendant had plans to fly to Turkey next week to visit with his aunt, who is gravely ill. Defendant has also traveled internationally to Cancun, London, Singapore, and Costa Rica.
Defendant and his wife both have student pilot licenses. They had a private jet, which was seized. But they have familiarity with private jet travel. The Government’s proffer was more than sufficient to show by a preponderance of the evidence that Defendant poses a serious risk of flight. In determining whether there are any conditions or combinations of conditions that will reasonably assure Defendant’s appearance as required, the Court considered the factors set out in 3142(g)(1)-(4).”
Biricik, who declared bankruptcy in 2019 but purchased a $4.5M home in Boca Bridges — and a plane — just a few years later, is facing roughly 50 counts of healthcare fraud and up to 20 years in prison. His wife has not been charged. Boca Bridges is located north of Clint Moore Road, in between Lyons Road and U.S. 441.
