KTVU Exclusive: Part 2 of jailhouse interview with Raymond Chow

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - Note: This is the second part of an exclusive interview with KTVU.  To see part one, click here. 

In part 2 of  an exclusive jailhouse interview with KTVU,  Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow tells reporter Amber Lee it wasn't the evidence that convicted him.  He claimed witnesses lied and so did a FBI agent who was central to the government's case.

 Chow was convicted January 8th after government prosecutors linked the one-time Chinatown gangster with a state senator in a wide-ranging corruption investigation.

"The prosecution side...the way they twist it...biasly...misleading.  The whole situation to presenting my case in front of a jury...that surprised me... how bad the government want me on this case.  They don't have to lie," said Chow.

The 56 year old says the jury  only heard clips of the wiretaps.  He says had the jury heard the entire conversation, the truth would have come out that he wasn't involved in criminal activity.

 
"The FBI on many, many occasions, try to corrupt me, try to have me involve with a crime...try to pull me in...push me into the crime and I  told them no."

Chow denies asking for or accepting any money tied to criminal activities in this case.          

"I'm good on the street.  I'm scandalous. I'm quick. You can not pass me on that.  But I never asked anyone for any money except this FBI  guy put the money in my pocket --that is crime?" said Chow.

When asked if he took the money out of his pocket, he replied, " I take it out a couple of times to give it back to him.  He said no, no, no...that's for love...that's for respect.  Okay, I'm not going to argue with that."

Chow has a notorious criminal past detailed in a History Channel documentary about Chinatown gangs.  But he says he turned his life around in 2003 after serving more than ten years in prison for racketerring, drug dealing and prostitution.

Since then, he says he's used his street smarts to stay out of trouble....including with that undercover FBI agent who Chow says repeatedly tried to trap him.

"I don't want to cut you lose.  If I  cut you lose, you're going to point a gun barrel at me.  It's very natural on the street.  You're not my friend, you're my enemy. I grow up on the street," said Chow. 

He says he was living a straight life...financially supported by his girlfriend and family when he was arrested almost two years ago along with then State Senator Leland Yee.

   The two men were among 28 people targeted by federal investigators in a corruption probe that alleged illegal gunrunning and other crimes.
     

"Leland Yee is a very good man. I know of him.  I did some community work with him.  He always encouraged me to do more community work," said Chow. 

He also says  the murder conviction was unjust.  Chow is convicted of being involved with the 2006 killing of another Chinatown leader,"I'm innocent.  I did not kill nobody.  I  did not tell nobody...talk about anybody to kill anybody." 

Now facing a possible life sentence, Chow says he's optimistic that he will win on appeal.

"Life sometimes you have to go through pain...to go through that kind of journey...and then you gain from it...and I  do.  That's why I  appreciate everything I  learned," said Chow.

He is scheduled to be sentenced March 23.  He is currently being held at San Francisco County Jail.
The U.S. Marshall's Office says it has not been decided yet which federal penitentiary Chow will be moved to after sentencing.