Alex Saab pleads guilty to money laundering in Miami, forfeits $195 million
Maduro ally Alex Saab pleaded guilty in Miami to money laundering conspiracy, agreeing to forfeit $195M and cooperate with US prosecutors.
Maduro ally Alex Saab admits guilt in US court, agrees to cooperate with prosecutors
A Colombian-born businessman with close ties to ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleaded guilty on Tuesday in a US money laundering case, as federal prosecutors prepare separately to bring Maduro himself to trial next year, internazionale.it reports.
Alex Saab entered the plea to one count of money laundering conspiracy at a hearing before US District Judge Kathleen Williams in Miami, according to court records.
He also agreed to forfeit $195 million and to cooperate with the US Department of Justice. Court records did not disclose the nature of any investigations in which Saab might provide assistance. His lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Prosecutors allege that Saab siphoned millions of dollars from a welfare programme intended to feed impoverished Venezuelans, transferring part of the proceeds into US bank accounts.
Saab had entered a not guilty plea in July, two months after being extradited as part of acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez's effort to distance her administration from elements of her predecessor's government.
He had served as Venezuela's minister of industry under Maduro, before Rodriguez removed him from the post in January — shortly after US Special Forces seized Maduro in Caracas. Venezuela's new government then detained Saab the following month.
A second US case against Saab
Tuesday's proceedings represent the second US criminal case brought against Saab. In 2020, he was detained in Cape Verde and extradited the following year to face money laundering charges for allegedly diverting $350 million out of Venezuela in connection with a bribery scheme.
Former US President Joe Biden granted Saab clemency in December 2023 as part of a prisoner exchange.
Maduro awaits trial in Brooklyn
Maduro is currently held without bail in a Brooklyn jail after pleading not guilty to drug trafficking charges. He has claimed immunity from US prosecution on the grounds that he once led a sovereign country. Legal experts have described that argument as an uphill battle, in part because Washington had not recognised Maduro as Venezuela's president since 2019. His trial is scheduled for 1 June 2027.
Reporting by Luc Cohen and Jonathan Stempel, Reuters.
Source: Google News MT