Photo: Ed Mulholland
By Lee Bates
Former world champion Kendall Holt has issued a statement regarding his current legal situation:
“Today I entered a conditional plea to conspiracy to commit Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity. I write that the plea is conditional because, pursuant to agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, I am also applying to the Pretrial Intervention Program. It is my understanding that the plea will be held and if I successfully complete the Pretrial Intervention Program the plea will not be entered on to my record.
“I want to explain the circumstances so there is no misunderstanding. I was requested on several occasions by my former manager, Henry Cortes, to deliver cash to him. Once, at his request, I did so. I should have known, given the people involved, that the money was the result of illegal activity.
“In fact, I should have just refused to transport the cash. I did not refuse, and that leads me to where we are today.
“It is very important that everyone know that I was not a part of my former manager’s distribution of drugs. I did not transport, possess, or distribute drugs. I had no part in my former manager’s activities in this regard, and it is not alleged that I did. Further, I never profited from the crime with which I was charged, nor is it alleged that I did. I succumbed to the request of my former manager to transport money, with no gain to me at all. My limited involvement is reflected in the fact that I have been given the opportunity to apply for the Pretrial Intervention Program.
“I have been and will continue to be completely cooperative with the Prosecutor’s Office, and I would like to thank them for the courtesies they have shown me.
“Sometimes in life people are asked to do things which they should decline to do. I should have declined but did not. I am truly sorry for that, and count this among life’s lessons.
“I intend to move on and put this matter behind me. I do not intend to answer any questions about this incident as I believe that this statement covers all that is necessary and must go forward rather than back.”
