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The Mystery of Havelock Woo
By
Jen Chung
Published May 6, 2003
Modified Mar 6, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 6, 2003
Modified Mar 6, 2008
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Some lucky jurors in Manhattan are debating whether a man really is who he says he is, in this case, "Havelock Woo." Prosecutors are using the case as an example of how they will tackle issues like identity theft, proposing that the supposed Woo took the name to fraud the government and bring relatives from China to the States. Defense claims their client actually reclaimed the identity of Woo.
Along the way, they have been treated to some surreal courtroom episodes. The defense produced a woman who said she was married to Havelock Woo, and that he was right there in the courtroom. Prosecutors produced a woman who said she was married to Havelock Woo. She said that he most definitely was not sitting in the courtroom, because Havelock Woo was dead.
It's all very Le Retour de Martin Guerre in Gothamist's book.
Tagged
china
fraud
gothamist
government
identity theft
manhattan
News: NYC
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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