MIAMI (AP) — A Venezuelan media tycoon-turned-fugitive was charged Wednesday in federal court in Florida for what authorities say was his role in laundering money in a conspiracy to siphon more than $1 billion from the oil company owned by the South American country’s government. A federal grand jury in Miami returned an indictment charging Raul Gorrin Belisario in an alleged scheme to launder funds he obtained from Petróleos de Venezuela S.A, also known as PDVSA, in exchange of hundreds of millions of dollars in bribery payments to Venezuelan officials, the U.
S. Justice Department said in a press release. Gorrin, 56, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. He was previously charged in two other federal cases and is already considered a fugitive by the U.S.
Gorrin did not immediately respond to an AP request for comment. “Gorrin’s alleged conduct enriched corrupt government officials and exploited the U.S.
financial system to facilitate these crimes,” said Principal Deputy Assistant General Nicole Argentieri. “The United States is not a safe haven for carrying out money laundering schemes or hiding criminal proceeds.” RELATED COVERAGE Bad state data may misdirect nearly $1 billion in federal funds to replace lead pipes With Clayton and Richard back, No.
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