Not Guilty Verdict In Alleged Hamas Aid Case Charity Accused Of Aiding Hamas

WNBC

DALLAS -- Three former leaders of a group that was once the nation's largest Muslim charity have been acquitted on most charges of funneling millions in illegal aid to Middle Eastern terrorists.

The five former leaders of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development are accused of funneling millions of dollars to the militant group Hamas.

The U.S. government designated Hamas a terrorist group in 1995 and again in 1997, making financial transactions with the group illegal.

The federal court jury in Dallas delivered a verdict to a magistrate on Thursday after 19 days of deliberations. It was sealed until Monday morning so that the judge and all the prosecutors who handled the case could be present.

Each defendant faced up to 35 counts, including conspiracy and money laundering.