Las Vegas Businessman Surrenders To Pattaya Police

As printed in the current issue of the "Pattaya Info" newspaper, April 21,2004

Former Pattaya Skal Club President Surrenders to Pattaya Police

Over one month ago, criminal charges were filed against former Pattaya Skal Club President, Murray Hertz. The charges involve violations of Sections 137, 172, 173, & 174 of the Penal Code of Thailand which address filing false information in a criminal case.

Procedurally under the Thai criminal justice system, a person charged with a crime is customarily sent three letters by the police asking that he voluntarily surrenders. Upon his failure to respond, the police request an arrest warrant from a local judge. Such an arrest warrant had been requested and was about to be issued when Hertz finally surrendered to the Pattaya Police Department on April 12 more than one month after charges were brought.

The charges arise out of Hertz filing criminal actions approximately one year ago against Steve Burke, a retired California lawyer and well known Pattaya businessman, and Nisachol Koedmee, Managing Director of Top Class Entertainment. All charges were dismissed as frivolous and without merit. They in turn filed criminal charges against Hertz.

Each false accusation that Hertz is alleged to have made is considered a separate and distinct criminal offense. He therefore faces multiple criminal charges. Each charge, upon conviction, carries a separate penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment and a money penalty assessment.

Filing false criminal charges is also considered defamation which, in Thailand, is both a criminal offense and a civil offense. Mr. Burke and Ms. Koedmee indicated that separate civil actions would also be filed against Hertz and other un-named individuals for substantial money damages. The civil actions would not only be based on Hertz’s false accusations, but concern numerous other defamatory statements made by him in concert with his friends and associates over the course of 14 months.

Murray Hertz is best known as the founder of the Las Vegas publication, What’s On—The Las Vegas Guide and the recent recipient of the Joe Delaney Lifetime Achievement for Journalism Award. Our editorial staff attempted to contact Mr. Hertz for comment, but his whereabouts are presently unknown.