Muslim charity leader sentenced to 11 years | Chicago Tribune

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Muslim charity leader sentenced to 11 years

By Mike Robinson
Associated Press Writer
Published August 18, 2003, 11:51 AM CDT

A Muslim charity leader linked by prosecutors to Osama bin Laden's terrorist network was sentenced Monday to more than 11 years in federal prison for defrauding donors.

Enaam Arnaout, 46, a Syrian-born U.S. citizen who says he has met bin Laden but opposes terrorism, was calm as the sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Suzanne B. Conlon.

The government's investigation of Arnaout and his Benevolence International Foundation, based in suburban Palos Hills until it was shut down in 2002, has been a major component of the war on terrorism.

Attorney General John Ashcroft traveled to Chicago to announce the charges against Arnaout when he was indicted.

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