MAN, DAD AGREE TO PLEA

TAMPA - A former Ybor club director and his father strike plea deals in a
scheme to launder $1.5 million in drug money.

If the case had gone to a jury, federal prosecutors were prepared to trot
out a wealth of evidence, including an incriminating phone conversation, a
wad of cash buried in a St. Petersburg yard and a string of suspicious
property purchases that started with a tony Bayshore Boulevard pad.

But now they may not have to.

Lee Okenfus, the director of the former Ybor City nightclub Flavoursq, and
his 65-year-old father have agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to launder
drug proceeds, according to court papers filed Wednesday.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and $3 million in
fines. In exchange for the pleas, prosecutors won't oppose shorter
sentences. They have also promised to ask the judge to allow Lee Okenfus'
father, Eugene, to serve his time while in federal prison on charges from
New York.

Both agreements stem from July 1997 indictments accusing the nightclub
director and his parents of laundering about $1.5 million in proceeds from a
New York drug ring. Federal prosecutors say the Tampa family became involved
in the illegal activity after a brother in New York was arrested and told
his relatives to pick up his money before authorities found it.

Lee and Eugene Okenfus have admitted they traveled to New York City in July
1996 and collected about $1.5 million from Jon Okenfus.

After returning home, L ee Okenfus used $25,000, combined with legitimate
money, to buy an apartment at 2401 Bayshore Blvd., and property at 2812 W.
Gandy Blvd., the agreement says. Along with pleading guilty, Lee Okenfus has
agreed to forfeit the Gandy Boulevard property, as well as a lot at 513 S.
Arrawana Ave.

Both men were scheduled to stand trial next week, but are expected to appear
before Senior U.S. Magistrate Thomas G. Wilson on Monday afternoon to change
their pleas instead.

Lee Okenfus' 65-year-old mother, Doris, has not yet signed any agreement
with prosecutors.

Checked-by: Rolf Ernst