Ian Thow, 48, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Oregon Fugitive Task Force

Ian Thow, 48, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Oregon Fugitive Task Force this week as he exited a condominium to go jogging. His initial court appearance Wednesday featured 90 minutes of legal sparring between his court-appointed attorney and an assistant U.S. attorney.At the end, a federal judge ordered a second hearing at 1:30 p.m. Friday.The judge will decide whether to transfer Thow to U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington for an extradition hearing or to have him stay in Portland for that hearing and surrender to Canadian authorities.Thow, through attorney Patrick Ehlers, offered to have his children drive him to the border to surrender to Canadian authorities, The Oregonian newspaper reported.The judge declined that option.The fugitive was wanted by Interpol and Canadian law enforcement on accusations of financial fraud that totaled more than $6 million and could be as much as $32 million.The U.S. citizen is the former vice president with the Berkshire investment firm in Victoria, B.C. From December 2003 to September 2005, he allegedly got people to invest in securities that did not exist and then put the money in his personal account, fueling a lavish lifestyle.He disappeared last summer, shortly after the fraud charges were filed.Washington state officials prepared a provisional arrest warrant Jan. 6 at the request of Canadian authorities, who thought Thow was living in Seattle.Oregon authorities were contacted when Seattle marshals learned Thow was in Portland.

Ian Thow, 48, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Oregon Fugitive Task Force

Ian Thow, 48, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Oregon Fugitive Task Force this week as he exited a condominium to go jogging. His initial c...

Read more »