Family Offered Ancestral Gold Coins, Jewelry To Cover $50,000 Bail

A view of buildings on Rikers Island penitentiary complex (file/credit: Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images)A view of buildings on Rikers Island penitentiary complex (file/credit: Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images)
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A gypsy family posting bail for an inmate at Rikers Island has to wait to see if a judge will accept the unique form of currency they offered.
As WCBS 880’s Irene Cornell reported, Judge Charles Solomon will decide whether gypsy treasure is an acceptable form of posting bail.
The family of Tom Eli, 41, offered up ancestral gold to secure Eli’s freedom. Eli’s being held on $50,000 bail on an assault charge.