Developer Justin French said Friday that he was not told why FBI and IRS agents raided his Shockoe Slip office Thursday.
French said he was not at the office at the time of the raid, in which agents collected boxes of documents and computers. French said he was contacted shortly thereafter by two federal agents who informed him that they had executed a search warrant for his office.
“I was not told why they went in, and I wasn’t charged with anything,” French said.
French said he did not wish to speculate on what was being investigated.
“It would be unwise for me to make public statements at this time,” French said, adding that he was seeking full legal representation in the matter.
French said he cooperated with the agents who briefly questioned him.
“I don’t think I have done anything wrong,” French said. “I have handled things in a proper manner and will be cooperative in whatever process needed to show that.”
Neither the FBI nor the IRS has made public statements as to why French is being investigated. Several sources say investigators are most likely looking for evidence that French committed fraud to obtain lucrative historic tax credits.
Al Harris covers commercial real estate for BizSense. Please send news tips to [email protected].
Developer Justin French said Friday that he was not told why FBI and IRS agents raided his Shockoe Slip office Thursday.
French said he was not at the office at the time of the raid, in which agents collected boxes of documents and computers. French said he was contacted shortly thereafter by two federal agents who informed him that they had executed a search warrant for his office.
“I was not told why they went in, and I wasn’t charged with anything,” French said.
French said he did not wish to speculate on what was being investigated.
“It would be unwise for me to make public statements at this time,” French said, adding that he was seeking full legal representation in the matter.
French said he cooperated with the agents who briefly questioned him.
“I don’t think I have done anything wrong,” French said. “I have handled things in a proper manner and will be cooperative in whatever process needed to show that.”
Neither the FBI nor the IRS has made public statements as to why French is being investigated. Several sources say investigators are most likely looking for evidence that French committed fraud to obtain lucrative historic tax credits.
Al Harris covers commercial real estate for BizSense. Please send news tips to [email protected].
This guy just doesn’t get it. he’s toast! He needs to SHUT UP, hunker down, & fight for his life.
@ Jack – My bet is right now he’s being prosecuted in the court of public opinion and losing.
And he might be innocent
I still can’t believe he thinks he has handled things in the proper manner. He has defaulted on loans, not paid sub-contractors, and still has been collecting money off the jobs from the tenants in the buildings already. This guy is nuts!
Ron…Are you on another planet?
@ Ron – To be honest I would like to hear why you mention he may be innocent. Since public opinion has convicted him in every post mentioning Mr French’s name, I am curious about the opinions of those who think he’s innocent. I realize that Bill is questioning your planetary location, but this is an open forum.
C’mon, Irony. This is an open forum, but anyone who thinks French is innocent has his head in the sand.
@ Bill – Don’t get me wrong there’s not much doubt that this whole mess stinks to high heaven and it looks to me that more people are going to go down for this also (Would it be too much to call him a ring leader??). I’m more curious about the reasoning behind such a opinion. Is it just the ole “innocent until proven guilty” statement?? Inquiring minds want to know.