Thaindian News

Washington, Dec 4 (IANS) An Indian American computer store owner and his girl friend charged with taking millions of dollars from a pianist and oil fortune heir have agreed to negotiate a plea deal by March 10.

The pair accused of stealing $20 million from Roger Davidson going back to 2004 signed waivers Thursday that allow their cases to be transferred to Westchester County Court in White Plains, New York, local media reports said.

Vickram Bedi, owner of Mount Kisco’s Datalink computer store in Chappaqua, New York, made an appearance in the Harrison village’s justice court Thursday before Village Justice John Donohue to have their cases moved to the county court.

His girlfriend, Helga Ingvarsdottir, signed the waiver before Thursday’s hearing and did not appear in court.

The Chappaqua couple is facing charges of first-degree larceny and accused of running a six-year scheme against Davidson. They are also accused of swindling Davidson, telling him that he was in danger and that they could offer protection.

Davidson brought his computer, which had a virus, to Bedi in 2004 for service. Prosecutors originally said the man and woman swindled $6 million, but they now say it was closer to $20 million.

A state judge refused to change Bedi’s multimillion-dollar bail Monday. Assistant District Attorney Steven Vandervelden, who said Bedi should be held without bail, said there was strong evidence Bedi was planning to flee the country.

Vandervelden said authorities found suitcases filled with $400,000 cash and that Bedi was planning to buy a home in Iceland, Ingvarsdottir’s homeland.

Both sides have until March 10 to work out a plea deal. If there is no resolution by March 11, the case will return to Mount Kisco court, and either a felony hearing could take place or the matter could be given to a grand jury for consideration of indictments, Vandervelden explained.