EBULLION COFOUNDER CHARGED WITH MURDER

e-Bullion co-owner James Fayed is no longer facing a charge of operating a money transmittal business without a license. A judge dismissed the charge following a request from the U.S. Attorney's office in Los Angeles, which has been cooperating with local authorities in the investigation into the July 28 stabbing death of Fayed's wife and e-Bullion's other co-owner, Pamela Fayed. On Monday, James Fayed and his ranch manager were charged in the murder.

However, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office told The Industry Standard that the federal money transmittal charge against Fayed's company has not been dropped. The court "did not dismiss against the company. We're pursuing that action," the spokesman said Wednesday afternoon, when asked about e-Bullion.

Federal authories seized approximately $24 million that FBI and IRS agents seized on August 5 from the offices of e-Bullion and the associated company named in the indictment, Goldfinger Coin & Bullion. It is not clear what will happen to the funds and other seized assets.