Calif. prosecutors ask judge to dismiss charges in whale sushi case; investigation ongoing
By APWednesday, April 28, 2010
Prosecutors seek to dismiss whale sushi charges
LOS ANGELES — Federal prosecutors have moved to dismiss charges against a Southern California sushi restaurant that admitted serving illegal and endangered whale meat, though the case appears not to be over.
U.S. attorney’s office spokesman Thom Mrozek said Wednesday that prosecutors want charges dismissed without prejudice, meaning they could refile them in the future.
Mrozek didn’t explain the move, but said the investigation into The Hump restaurant in Santa Monica remains open and active.
Typhoon Restaurant Inc., parent company of The Hump, and the restaurant’s chef were each charged with a misdemeanor count of selling a marine mammal product for an unauthorized purpose.
An attorney for Typhoon has said the now-closed restaurant accepted responsibility for the wrongdoing.
