Siblings in Ritmo Latino raid plead not guilty

Three people arrested Friday in connection with an investigation at Columbus club Ritmo Latino appeared in federal court Monday on a money laundering charge.

Maria Serafin, 36, and her brothers Jose Ricci, 42, and Gerardo Ricci, 44, pleaded not guilty before U.S. Magistrate G. Mallon Faircloth. Each wore jail-issued shirts as they heard Assistant U.S. Attorney Mel Hyde tell Faircloth about the accusations.

The indictment, which was unsealed Monday by Faircloth, states that the defendants were told by a law enforcement officer that cash they accepted between Oct. 30 and Feb. 16 was from cocaine sales.

“... the defendants accepted United States currency believed to be proceeds from the distribution of cocaine, deposited those proceeds into their own personal and business accounts, then redistributed a portion of the proceeds into an account held by the Drug Enforcement Administration,” the indictment states.

Defense attorney Frank Martin, who represents the three defendants, said he hadn’t seen the indictment until the hearing.

After the hearing, Martin said his focus was to get his clients out on bond, then to meet with them.

Hyde said he had no objection to Serafin being released on her own recognizance, which Faircloth allowed.

The magistrate, however, gave the Riccis $10,000 bond each.

Three people were arrested Friday in connection with the investigation at the 3433 N. Lumpkin Road club. At least five FBI agents were inside Ritmo Latino that morning.

They carried out brown bags with papers and boxes from the club before locking it up.

Martin said two search warrants were executed — one at the club and the other at Jose Ricci’s Columbus home.

“They seized items at both places,” Martin added.

Serafin is listed as the owner on a business license on file at the Columbus Government Center.

All three are U.S. citizens, Martin said.