GUILTY Zambia - Bianca Rudolph, 57, safari trip, fatally shot, 2016 Oct, PA dentist husband and gf arrested 2021

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Pennsylvania dentist, 67, is charged with murdering his wife on 2017 African hunting trip | Daily Mail Online

1/11/2022

A Pennsylvania dentist has been charged with murdering his wife during a 2016 African hunting safari as part of an insurance scam and to get out of his marriage to be with his long-term mistress.

Dr. Lawrence Rudolph, 67, was charged in Colorado on charges of foreign murder and wire fraud, for allegedly shooting dead his wife Bianca during a trip to Zambia.

In the criminal complaint filed against him that was unsealed last week, an FBI agent describes how he had been having an affair for years beforehand, and had seven life insurance policies against his wife which were adjusted in the months before her death.

[..]

When they got there, they found Bianca lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the chest.

Her husband claimed he was in the bathroom at the time and that she had accidentally shot with a Browning 12 gauge shot gun herself while packing up her gun for a day's hunting.

52812811-10391987-Lawrence_and_Bianca_are_shown_in_2011_during_a_hunting_trip-a-29_1641940321600.jpg


Zambian Police believed him, ruling the death an accident and allowing him to travel back to America, where the FBI agent says he quickly resumed his relations with an unnamed 'girlfriend', who he'd been having an affair with for years.

The FBI was notified of the case in 2016 after one of Bianca's friends called them to say she was suspicious about Bianca's death.

Bianca and Lawrence, or Larry, had been married since 1982 and while they enjoyed hunting together, the friend said he was prone to affairs.
 
Pittsburgh-Area Dentist Accused Of Killing Wife On African Safari Trip To Claim Millions In Insurance Money

Jan 11, 2022

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A Pittsburgh-area dentist is accused of killing his wife in Africa to claim millions in insurance money.

Lawrence Rudolph, the founder of Three Rivers Dental here in Pittsburgh, is charged with mail fraud. But federal investigators have laid out much more in dozens of pages of court filings.

[..]

According to the criminal complaint filed in a federal court in Colorado back in December, FBI investigators claim Rudolph killed his wife, Bianca Rudolph, while they were on a safari and hunting trip to Africa in 2016.

Federal investigators allege the man killed his wife and had her cremated in Africa in a scheme to collect millions in life insurance claims tied to her death.

According to the criminal complaint, Lawrence Rudolph allegedly made claims through seven different insurance companies totaling more than $4.8 million in payouts. Investigators go on to say that Dr. Rudolph had his attorneys use FedEx to mail claim-related documents to one of the insurance companies.

Copy --Criminal Complaint:

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15909642/2022/01/1-2.pdf
 
Jan 11, 2022

KDKA-TV reached out to Lawrence Rudolph’s attorneys, who are trying to get their client moved from federal detention to a facility closer to his Phoenix residence. They sent a statement to KDKA-TV, saying:

“This is an outrageous prosecution against Dr. Larry Rudolph, a man who loved his wife of 34 years and did not kill her. Back in 2016, his wife had a terrible accident during a hunting trip in Zambia. The investigators on the scene concluded it was an accident. Several insurance companies also investigated and agreed. Now, more than five years later, the government is seeking to manufacture a case against this well-respected and law abiding dentist. Dr. Rudolph looks forward to his trial where he will demonstrate his innocence.”

The man’s attorneys filed motions on Tuesday to get their client out of a Colorado detention center to Arizona, where he owns a home. They argue he’s 67 years old, has medical conditions and the case against him is circumstantial.

COPY - Motion to Release:

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15909642/2022/01/38-main.pdf
 
Operator of Three Rivers Dental Group, former Greensburg dentist accused of killing wife on safari

January 11, 2022 at 9:02 pm EST
By WPXI.com News Staff

PITTSBURGH — A former Greensburg-based dentist is accused of killing his wife with a shotgun while on an African safari in Zambia five years ago and collecting millions in life insurance.

According to our partners at TribLIVE.com, federal authorities charged Lawrence Rudolph, 67, on Dec. 22. He was in custody a day later while on a trip to Mexico.

Court documents, filed in Colorado, said Rudolph and his wife, Bianca, frequently went on hunting trips to Africa. In 2016, the criminal complaint said Rudolph’s wife wanted to kill a leopard and they had a Remington .375 and Browning 12-gauge with them.

[..]

A jury trial is scheduled for Feb. 28.
 
U.S. District Court - District of Colorado
District of Colorado (Denver)
CRIMINAL DOCKET FOR CASE #: 1:22-cr-00012-WJM-1


Case title: USA v. Rudolph

Magistrate judge case number: 1:21-mj-00209-MEH

Date Filed: 01/05/2022

Assigned to: Judge William J. Martinez

Defendant (1)
Lawrence Rudolph

Pending Counts

18 U.S.C. §§ 1119 and 1111 - Foreign Murder
(1)
18 U.S.C. § 1341 (mail fraud) and § 2 aiding and abetting and willfully causing
(2)

Highest Offense Level (Opening)

Felony

Complaints
18 U.S.C. § 1341 Mail Fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1119 and 1111 Foreign Murder

Date Filed # Docket Text

12/16/2021

#1 CRIMINAL COMPLAINT as to Lawrence Rudolph (1). (Attachments: # 1 Criminal Information Sheet, # 2 Affidavit) (cmadr, ) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 12/16/2021)

12/16/2021
#2 Arrest Warrant Issued in case as to Lawrence Rudolph. (cmadr, ) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 12/16/2021)

12/22/2021
#3 NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE: David Oscar Markus & Anita Margot Moss appearing for Lawrence Rudolph. (cmadr, ) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 12/22/2021)

12/22/2021
#4 SUPERSEDING CRIMINAL COMPLAINT as to Lawrence Rudolph. (Attachments: # 1 Criminal Information Sheet, # 2 Affidavit) (cmadr, ) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 12/22/2021)

12/22/2021
#5 Arrest Warrant Issued in case as to Lawrence Rudolph. (cmadr, ) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 12/22/2021)

12/22/2021
#6 Order to Restrict Case as to Lawrence Rudolph. by Magistrate Judge Scott T. Varholak on 22 December 2021. (cmadr, ) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 12/22/2021)

12/23/2021
# 7 Arrest of Lawrence Rudolph Initial Appearance set for 12/23/2021 01:30 PM in Courtroom A 401 before Magistrate Judge Scott T. Varholak. (Text Only entry).(alave, ) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 12/23/2021)

12/23/2021
#8 MINUTE ENTRY for Initial Appearance as to Lawrence Rudolph held before Magistrate Judge Scott T. Varholak on 12/23/2021. Defendant present in custody. Defendant advised. Defendant has retained counsel. Government seeking detention. Defense counsel request expert reports and studies named in complaint be produced to defense prior to the detention hearing. The government is in the process of working with defense counsel regarding discovery. Defense counsel also makes a record regarding Defendant's medical condition. Due to defense counsel being overseas, the earliest defense counsel is available to appear in person for a detention hearing is on 1/4/2022. Detention Hearing set for 1/4/2022 10:00 AM in Courtroom A 401 before Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix. Preliminary Examination set for 1/6/2022 10:00 AM in Courtroom A 401 before Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix. Defendant remanded. (Total time: 14 minutes, Hearing time: 12:38-12:52)

APPEARANCES: Garreth Winstead on behalf of the Government, David Markus and Margot Moss by VTC on behalf of the defendant, Josh Roth on behalf of probation. FTR: 402. (morti, ) Text Only Entry [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 12/23/2021)

12/24/2021
#9 Unopposed MOTION for Protective Order by USA as to Lawrence Rudolph. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order (PDF Only))(Fields, Bryan) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 12/24/2021)

12/27/2021
#10 PROTECTIVE ORDER as to Lawrence Rudolph (1) by Magistrate Judge Scott T. Varholak on December 27, 2021. (csarr, ) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 12/27/2021)

12/27/2021
#11 NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE Edwin Garreth Winstead, III appearing for USA. (csarr, ) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 12/27/2021)

12/28/2021
#12 Arrest Warrant Returned Executed on 12/22/2021 in case as to Lawrence Rudolph. (csarr, ) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 12/29/2021)

01/03/2022
#13 RESTRICTED DOCUMENT - Level 2: as to Lawrence Rudolph. (Winstead, Edwin) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 01/03/2022)

01/03/2022
#14 RESTRICTED DOCUMENT - Level 2: as to Lawrence Rudolph. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5)(Winstead, Edwin) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 01/03/2022)

01/03/2022
#15 MOTION for Leave to Restrict by USA as to Lawrence Rudolph. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order (PDF Only))(Winstead, Edwin) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 01/03/2022)

01/03/2022
#16 MOTION for Order TO APPEAR REMOTELY by USA as to Lawrence Rudolph. (Winstead, Edwin) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 01/03/2022)

01/03/2022
#17 MINUTE ORDER granting the Government's Motion to Appear Remotely [#16]. Counsel for the United States may appear via video telephone conference ("VTC") at the detention hearing set for January 4, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. By Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix on January 3, 2022. Text Only Entry (klmlc1, ) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 01/03/2022)

01/03/2022
#18 NOTICE OF CONVENTIONAL FILING by USA as to Lawrence Rudolph (Winstead, Edwin) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 01/03/2022)

01/03/2022
#19 MOTION for Bond and Response to Government's Motion for Pretrial Detention by Lawrence Rudolph. (Markus, David) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 01/03/2022)

01/04/2022
#20 Conventionally Submitted Material : One Flash Drive re Restricted Document - Level 2 14 by Plaintiff USA. Location of Stored Items: Box A-1-2 Text Only Entry (cmadr, ) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 01/04/2022)

01/04/2022
#21 ORDER granting 15 Motion for Leave to Restrict as to Lawrence Rudolph (1) by Magistrate Judge Michael E. Hegarty on 4 January 2022. (cmadr, ) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 01/05/2022)

01/04/2022
#22 MINUTE ENTRY for Detention Hearing as to Lawrence Rudolph held before Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix on 1/4/2022. Defendant present in custody. Parties are ready to proceed to detention hearing. Government requests that this detention hearing not be sealed although the case itself shall remain sealed. ORDERED: Government's oral Motion to Unseal Case for Purposes of the Detention Hearing Only is GRANTED. The Court orders sequestration of witnesses with exception to victims. Government's witness, Donald Peterson, called and sworn. Direct examination by Mr. Winstead. Government's Exhibits 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are ADMITTED. Court questions the witness. Follow up questions by Mr. Winstead to the Court's questions. Cross examination by Mr. Markus. Defendant's Exhibits A and B are ADMITTED. Witness excused. Argument by counsel for the government and defense counsel as to the issue of detention. ORDERED: Defendant detained. Defendant remanded. (Total time: 220 minutes, Hearing time: 10:16-12:14, 12:50-2:21 and 2:48-2:59)

APPEARANCES: Garreth Winstead and Kurt Bohn on behalf of the Government, David Markus and Margot Moss on behalf of the defendant, Carlos Morales on behalf of pretrial. FTR: KLM Courtroom A401. (lgale, ) Text Only Entry [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 01/05/2022)

01/04/2022
#23 ORDER OF DETENTION as to Lawrence Rudolph by Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix on 1/4/22. (lgale, ) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 01/05/2022)

01/05/2022
#24 MOTION to Unrestrict Case as to Lawrence Rudolph by USA. (sphil, ) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 01/06/2022)

01/05/2022
#25 ORDER to Unrestrict Case by Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix on 1/6/2022 as to Lawrence Rudolph (1). (sphil, ) [1:21-mj-00209-MEH] (Entered: 01/06/2022)

01/05/2022
#26 INDICTMENT as to Lawrence Rudolph (1) count(s) 1, 2. (Attachments: # 1 Criminal Information Sheet) (sphil, ) (Entered: 01/06/2022)

01/05/2022
#27 Utility Resetting Arraignment/Discovery Hearing as to Lawrence Rudolph: Arraignment/Discovery set for 1/6/2022 10:00 AM in Courtroom A 401 before Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix. Preliminary hearing changed into an Arraignment/Discovery Hearing pursuant to 26 INDICTMENT. Text Only Entry. (sphil, ) (Entered: 01/06/2022)

01/05/2022
#28 RESTRICTED DOCUMENT - Level 4: as to Lawrence Rudolph. (sphil, ) (Entered: 01/06/2022)

01/06/2022
#29 MINUTE ENTRY for Arraignment and Discovery as to Lawrence Rudolph held before Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix on 1/6/2022. Defendant present in custody. Plea of NOT GUILTY entered by defendant. Discovery memorandum executed. Defendant remanded. Counsel is directed to chambers. (Total time: 3 minutes, Hearing time: 10:06-10:09)

APPEARANCES: Brian Fields and Garreth Winstead (by video conference) on behalf of the Government, David Markus and Margot Moss (both by video conference) on behalf of the defendant. FTR: KLM Courtroom A401. (lgale, ) Text Only Entry (Entered: 01/06/2022)

01/06/2022
#30 Discovery Conference Memorandum and ORDER: Estimated Trial Time - 4 weeks as to Lawrence Rudolph by Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix on 1/6/22. (lgale, ) (Entered: 01/06/2022)

01/06/2022
#31 MOTION for Bond Pursuant to 18 USC 3142(i) by Lawrence Rudolph. (Markus, David) (Entered: 01/06/2022)

01/06/2022
#32 ORDER: This matter is before the Court on Defendant Lawrence Rudolph's Motion for Temporary Release Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3142(i) ("Motion") 31 . The Government is DIRECTED to file a Response to Defendant's Motion on or before noon on Monday, January 10, 2022. The Defendant is DIRECTED to file a Reply on or before noon on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. SO ORDERED by Judge William J. Martinez on 1/6/2022. Text Only Entry (wjmlc2) (Entered: 01/06/2022)

01/06/2022

#33 ORDER: This matter is before the Court on Defendant Lawrence Rudolph's Motion for Temporary Release Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3142(i) 31 . The Court hereby ORDERS a 7-day expedited transcription of the January 4, 2022 Detention Hearing held before Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix 22 . SO ORDERED by by Judge William J. Martinez on 1/6/2022. Text Only Entry (wjmlc2) (Entered: 01/06/2022)

01/07/2022

#34 NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE Justin Bishop Grewell appearing for USA. Attorney Justin Bishop Grewell added to party USA(pty:pla) (Grewell, Justin) (Entered: 01/07/2022)

01/10/2022

#35 RESPONSE in Opposition by USA as to Lawrence Rudolph re 31 MOTION for Bond Pursuant to 18 USC 3142(i) (Fields, Bryan) (Entered: 01/10/2022)

01/10/2022

#36 ORDER Setting Trial Date and Related Deadlines as to Lawrence Rudolph by Judge William J. Martinez on 1/10/2022. Motions due by 2/4/2022. Responses due by 2/11/2022. A 15-day Jury Trial set for 2/28/2022 08:30 AM in Courtroom A 801 before Judge William J. Martinez. Trial Preparation Conference set for 2/18/2022 at 11:00 AM in Courtroom A 801 before Judge William J. Martinez. (sphil, ) (Entered: 01/10/2022)

01/11/2022

#37 TRANSCRIPT of Detention Hearing as to Lawrence Rudolph held on January 4, 2022 before Magistrate Judge Mix. Pages: 1-158. Prepared by: AB Litigation Services.

NOTICE - REDACTION OF TRANSCRIPTS: Within seven calendar days of this filing, each party shall inform the Court, by filing a Notice of Intent to Redact, of the party's intent to redact personal identifiers from the electronic transcript of the court proceeding. If a Notice of Intent to Redact is not filed within the allotted time, this transcript will be made electronically available after 90 days. Please see the Notice of Electronic Availability of Transcripts document at www.cod.uscourts.gov.


Transcript may only be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber prior to the 90 day deadline for electronic posting on PACER. (nrich, ) (Entered: 01/11/2022)

01/11/2022

#38 REPLY TO RESPONSE to Motion by Lawrence Rudolph re 31 MOTION for Bond Pursuant to 18 USC 3142(i) (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of David Oscar Markus)(Markus, David) (Entered: 01/11/2022)

01/11/2022

#39 BAIL REPORT as to Lawrence Rudolph. (rmaya, ) (Entered: 01/11/2022)

************END OF DOCKET AT 1/11/22*****************
 
The 7 life insurance policies and long time affair with the mistress are a massive red flag!

Who takes out 7 life insurance policies on their wife who suddenly dies in mysterious circumstances with no witnesses??
Wow just wow...

I guess he has heaps of cash and will hire the most expensive lawyers and get off!!
 
Not sure if I'm allowed to post the link, but if you go to youtube and search Rudolph v SCI you can find the video referenced in the above article called “Safari Club International SCI president tells the truth on video - Rudolph Exonerated!!”
 
I can't imagine what evidence prosecutors expect to present. Have they had him under surveillance and caught him making self incriminating statements? It's definitely suspicious but like 60% of what makes it suspicious is how convenient the circumstances were for it to be tidily wrapped up. Did they go to Zambia and look at the bullet hole in the wall? Assuming it was a slug, I wouldn't be surprised if it was still there.
 
I can't imagine what evidence prosecutors expect to present. Have they had him under surveillance and caught him making self incriminating statements? It's definitely suspicious but like 60% of what makes it suspicious is how convenient the circumstances were for it to be tidily wrapped up. Did they go to Zambia and look at the bullet hole in the wall? Assuming it was a slug, I wouldn't be surprised if it was still there.
Answers to OP's questions are most likely found in the AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF CRIMINAL COMPLAINT linked at post #2 above. I've not searched to see if the defense's answer to the complaint linked by any MSN.
 
Okay I read the criminal complaint, it basically argues that it would have been physically impossible for her to have shot herself with the shotgun in the way described and, significantly, that the shot spread pattern of her wound is inconsistent with a contact injury, rather that it suggests a shot fired at a distance of some feet away. Apparently the embassy was dissociate from the start and someone went to the funeral home before the cremation was done where they took pictures. That picture of the shot spread injury will be an important piece of evidence.

It will be up to the defense to conduct a counter study that demonstrates reasonable logistics for the accident to have occurred. I don't think he'll be able to pin it on some random intruder who disappeared afterward, not with the extensively documented motive.
 
Dentist killed his wife on an African hunting trip, U.S. says

Jan 18, 2022

[..]

Markus, Lawrence Rudolph’s lawyer, declined to answer questions about the state of his client’s marriage to Bianca Rudolph or whether he had remarried. In his statement, he said that Zambian authorities had determined that Bianca Rudolph’s death was an accident, a finding that he said had been corroborated by insurance companies.

“Now, more than five years later, the government is seeking to manufacture a case against this well-respected and law-abiding dentist,” Markus said. “Dr. Rudolph looks forward to his trial, where he will demonstrate his innocence.” Justice Department officials declined to comment further about the case Tuesday.

As part of a motion seeking Lawrence Rudolph’s release, two of his adult children signed affidavits saying that they believed him to be innocent and that he did not pose a flight risk. They said that keeping him in custody created a health risk for Lawrence Rudolph, who has a pacemaker.
 
Yay!! This makes me so happy that this federal judge exercised discretion over all the talk of bail reform clearly intended for nonviolent offenses.

From the link:

Jan 28, 2022

Martinez ruled Rudolph remains a danger to the community and a flight risk because of having $27 million in assets and a residence in Mexico. Martinez also determined there is no reason to conduct a hearing to resolve Rudolph’s requests of Jan. 6 and 17 for a temporary release.

Rudolph was charged Dec. 22 with foreign murder and mail fraud in obtaining a $4 million life insurance policy in connection with the death of his wife, Bianca Finizio Rudolph, 57, in their hotel room Oct. 11, 2016, in Zambia. He was living in Arizona and arrested while in Mexico, according to court records. The charges were filed in Colorado, the location of an insurance company that paid on the insurance policy on his wife’s life.

[..]

None of the pretrial release conditions proposed by Rudolph’s attorneys would “reasonably assure” Rudolph would appear in court and not be a risk to the community, including relinquishing his firearms and passport; posting a $5 million bond secured by his home and the homes of his children; living under house arrest with his girlfriend in Phoenix, son in Miami or daughter in Cranberry; or electronic monitoring and private security guards that could report to pretrial services, according to the judge.

Risking the loss of the homes of his girlfriend or children if he fled “promises little assurances” given Rudolph’s financial resources, Martinez wrote.

The judge stated that he was “deeply troubled” by Rudolph’s suggestion that he should “buy his way out of detention by constructing a private jail from the comfort of his girlfriend or relative’s home.”

Prosecutors had countered Rudolph’s request by saying in court documents he “has more incentives to flee now than he has ever had.”

Martinez rejected Rudolph’s argument he could not properly prepare a defense while behind bars. To Rudolph’s request to be freed from jail because of his heart condition and a 2021 surgery to implant a pacemaker that makes him vulnerable to covid, Martinez noted Rudolph tested positive for covid and failed to produce evidence his medical condition places him at serious risk.

[..]

Markus had filed an uncontested motion Wednesday asking the judge to continue the trial from Feb. 28 to allow additional time to review the evidence, which includes some 6,000 pages of documents. The defense also wants time to conduct its investigation in Africa, so it requested a status conference in 30 to 45 days.
 

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