Opinion ID: 439957
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Crawford Incident.

Text: 14 Swain Crawford was a used car salesman at John's Chevrolet, a car dealership owned by John Serubo and perhaps by his father Peter, who was at least associated with the business. On May 9, 1981, Anthony told Crawford to go to John Serubo's office. In the office were Anthony, both Serubos, and another man, described as burly. Anthony punched Crawford and asked why he had taken money from Peter Serubo. Anthony struck Crawford repeatedly and smashed a bottle over his head. Peter told Crawford that he owed the Serubos $1,800, and when Crawford denied it, Anthony put a gun to Crawford's head. Crawford telephoned a friend, who said she would make arrangements to get the money. 15 At Anthony's direction, the burly man and defendant Nicholas Fidelibus took Crawford to West's auto body shop. The men described a beating that Anthony had conducted at the garage and said that the victim had been hung from the hoist. Crawford telephoned his friend again, and she offered a diamond ring. After telephoning John Serubo, Fidelibus and Crawford picked up the ring and returned to John's office. 16 There, Anthony examined the ring and said that if it was worth less than $12,000, it was not worth Crawford's life. Anthony gave the ring to Peter and told Crawford to pay the $1,800 two days later. On the appointed day, Crawford paid the money to the Peter, and John returned the diamond ring. Peter had a check for $200 drawn to Crawford in payment of sales commissions then due. Crawford was required to endorse the check and to give it to John as payment to Anthony for his collection services. 17 Based on the Crawford incident, Anthony was convicted on a third count of collecting a claimed debt by extortionate means. John Serubo, Peter Serubo, and Nicholas Fidelibus were also convicted on this count. Fidelibus does not appeal. 18