Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, along with Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso and NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, announced charges against Ashanti Washington, also known as "Shani Boni." Washington faces allegations of perjury and obstruction of justice related to her testimony at a federal criminal trial.
Washington's alleged false testimony occurred during the March 2025 trial of United States v. Kevin Perez. Perez was on trial for racketeering and violent crimes. Washington was arrested on June 24, 2025, and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara C. Moses.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated, “As alleged, Ashanti Washington swore an oath to tell the truth in federal court and repeatedly lied and attempted to obstruct a New York federal criminal trial.” He emphasized that breaking this duty would have consequences.
Michael Alfonso added that Washington’s actions “obstructed justice and undermined the integrity of our legal system,” leading to her arrest and subsequent federal charges.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch commented on the seriousness of the situation: “This wasn’t just simple dishonesty—this was a calculated attack on the integrity of our judicial system.”
During Perez's trial, which began on March 10, 2025, he faced multiple charges including racketeering conspiracy and murder-related offenses. The jury returned guilty verdicts for several charges but not guilty for murder. Sentencing is set for July 16, 2025.
Washington testified as a defense witness on March 17 and 18, allegedly providing false statements about her knowledge of a gun used in a crime and gang affiliations.
She is charged with three counts of perjury at a federal criminal trial and one count of obstruction of justice. Each perjury charge carries up to five years in prison while obstruction carries up to ten years.
Clayton praised the efforts of HSI Violent Gangs Task Force special agents from NYPD involved in the investigation which remains ongoing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Herman, Patrick Moroney, and Ni Qian are handling prosecution under the Office’s Violent & Organized Crime Unit.
It is important to note that these charges are accusations; Washington is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
