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Ex-Gizmondo Head Freer Charged For Impersonating Officer

The continued investigation stemming from the <a href="http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=8261">high-profile Ferrari crash</a> in Los Angeles in Februa...

Jason Dobson, Blogger

April 27, 2006

2 Min Read
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The continued investigation stemming from the high-profile Ferrari crash in Los Angeles in February by former Gizmondo handheld console executive Stefan Eriksson has now led to the arrest of former Gizmondo Europe head Carl Freer on charges of obtaining a handgun through illegal means. Freer was arrested by police offers at his Bel-Air estate on Wednesday for impersonating a deputy commissioner of the San Gabriel Valley Transit Authority in order to purchase a .44 magnum handgun without undergoing a background check, according to Los Angeles Sheriff's Department officials. Officers uncovered 12 rifles and four handguns while conducting searches of both Freer's home and on his 100-foot yacht in Marina del Rey. Officials are currently investigating how Freer, along with Eriksson, were issued badges by the San Gabriel Valley Transit Authority, a uniformed police force that provides a transportation system for handicapped, disabled, elderly and needy passengers. "We have a wider investigation into who has given police identification by this supposed police agency," said Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to the Associated Press. Following his arrest, Freer was booked on a felony account of “suspicion of perjury”, and was released on $20,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear before a judge in court on Friday. Freer's attorney, Michael Miller, indicated that the arrest was the result of a misunderstanding. Freer's former associate Eriksson is currently scheduled to appear in court on Thursday for a preliminary hearing to determine if he should have to stand trial for charges of grand theft, drunk driving, embezzlement, and weapons charges following his arrest in early April. This is just the latest in an ongoing string of legal trouble for both Freer and Eriksson. Earlier in April, the UK Mail reported that Freer was sued by London law firm Manches, which represents Gizmondo's former solicitors, for more than UKP500,000 ($870,000) for unpaid legal services.

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