Former corrupt Liberian official designated under Section 7031(c)

September 10, 2020, 11:50 am

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Public Designation of Andrew Wonplo Due to Involvement in Significant Corruption

PRESS STATEMENT

MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

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Today, I am announcing the public designation of the former Director of Passport and Visas at the Liberian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andrew Wonplo, due to his involvement in significant corruption. In his official capacity at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2018 to 2019, Mr. Wonplo was involved in passport fraud that undermined the rule of law, reduced the Liberian public’s faith in their government’s management of identification and travel documents, and compromised the integrity and security of immigration processes.

This designation is made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2020 (Div. G, P.L. 116-94). Under Section 7031(c), once the Secretary of State designates officials of foreign governments for their involvement, directly or indirectly, in significant corruption, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States. The law also requires the Secretary of State to either publicly or privately designate such officials and their immediate family members. In addition to Mr. Wonplo, I am announcing the public designation of his spouse, Dennice Wonplo, and their minor children.

This designation reaffirms U.S. commitment to standing with the people and government of Liberia in their fight against corruption. The Department will continue to use these authorities to promote accountability for corrupt actors in this region and globally.

For more information, please contact INL-PAPD@state.gov.

Link:

State Department Notice

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I won my bet – times 2!

September 15, 2020, 8:54 am

≫ Next: Ah… the missing piece from yesterday’s Global Magnitsky designations…

≪ Previous: Former corrupt Liberian official designated under Section 7031(c)

My guess was that today’s Global Magnitsky designations were for corruption – I guessed well. Here’s the State Department press release for the sanctioned entity:

Sanctions on Nabah Ltd. Owned or Controlled by Corrupt Businessman Ashraf Al-Cardinal

PRESS STATEMENT

MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

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Today, the United States imposed economic sanctions on Nabah Ltd., a company owned or controlled by Ashraf Seed Ahmed Al-Cardinal. Al-Cardinal is a Sudanese businessman previously designated for his role in corruption connected to the South Sudanese government.

Al-Cardinal was designated for engaging in corruption, including participating in bribery, kickbacks, and procurement fraud involving senior South Sudanese government officials. He and his companies act as intermediaries for depositing and holding large amounts of funds for senior-level South Sudanese officials outside of South Sudan in an attempt to avoid sanctions.

This action designates Nabah Ltd. pursuant to Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Nabah Ltd. is the sixth company owned or controlled by Al-Cardinal to be subject to U.S. sanctions. For further information on previous designations involving Al-Cardinal and his businesses, see: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm790

The United States is committed to the enforcement of its sanctions, including through targeting sanctions evasion schemes such as the one carried out by Al-Cardinal and his businesses.

and for the former First Lady of The Gambia:

Former First Lady of The Gambia Sanctioned for Supporting the Former President’s Corruption

PRESS STATEMENT

MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

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Today, the United States imposed economic sanctions on Zineb Souma Yahya Jammeh, the former first lady of The Gambia. Zineb Jammeh is believed to control many of the overseas assets of her husband, Yahya Jammeh, the notoriously corrupt former leader of The Gambia, who was sanctioned by the Department of the Treasury in 2017. In addition, the State Department designated Zineb Jammeh in December 2018 under Section 7031(c) of the annual appropriations bill as an immediate family member of Yahya Jammeh, who was concurrently designated for his involvement in significant corruption. Their children are also ineligible for entry into the United States as a result of the 2018 designation.

Zineb Jammeh is designated for her role in materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing support to her husband. She utilized a charitable foundation and charities as cover to facilitate the illicit transfer of funds to her husband.

This action designates Zineb Jammeh pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. The United States uses economic sanctions to promote accountability for those who assist or facilitate the corruption carried out by those like Yahya Jammeh, who abuse their positions of power for their own personal gain.

And Treasury’s press release about the lot of them:

PRESS RELEASES

Treasury Targets Support to Designated Corrupt Actors

September 15, 2020

Washington – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Zineb Souma Yahya Jammeh (Zineb) and Nabah LTD (Nabah) for their roles in providing support to persons previously designated for their own corrupt behavior. OFAC designated these persons pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption.

“Bad actors rely on their networks and front companies to evade sanctions and conceal their illicit activities,” said Deputy Secretary Justin G. Muzinich. “We will continue to use our authorities to prevent such illicit funds from moving freely through the international financial system.”

ZINEB SOUMA YAHYA JAMMEH

Zineb is the former First Lady of The Gambia and the current wife of Yahya Jammeh (Jammeh), who is a former President of The Gambia who came to power in 1994 and stepped down in 2017. Jammeh was previously included on the Annex to E.O. 13818 on December 21, 2017, for his long history of engaging in serious human rights abuse and corruption. During his tenure, Jammeh used a number of corrupt schemes to plunder The Gambia’s state coffers or otherwise siphon off state funds for his personal gain. At the time of his designation, ongoing investigations revealed Jammeh’s large-scale theft from state coffers prior to his departure. According to The Gambia’s Justice Ministry, Jammeh personally, or through others acting under his instructions, directed the unlawful withdrawal of at least $50 million of state funds. The Gambian Government had since taken action to freeze Jammeh’s assets within The Gambia.

Zineb has reportedly been instrumental in aiding and abetting Jammeh’s economic crimes against the country, and despite numerous calls for Zineb to intervene, has turned a blind eye to Jammeh’s human rights abuses. Zineb is also believed to be in charge of most of Jammeh’s assets around the world, and utilized a charitable foundation as cover to facilitate the illicit transfer of funds to her husband. The Department of Justice filed a civil forfeiture complaint on July 15, 2020, seeking the forfeiture of a Maryland property acquired with approximately $3,500,000 in corruption proceeds by Jammeh, through a trust set up by his wife, Zineb.

Zineb is designated for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of Jammeh.

NABAH LTD

Nabah is owned or controlled by Ashraf Seed Ahmed Al-Cardinal (Al-Cardinal) and is registered in the United Kingdom. Al-Cardinal was previously designated on October 11, 2019, for his involvement in bribery, kickbacks and procurement fraud with senior government officials. Al-Cardinal himself was part of a sanctions evasion scheme in which a senior South Sudanese official used a bank account in the name of one of Al-Cardinal’s companies to store his personal funds in an attempt to avoid the effects of U.S. sanctions. Al-Cardinal and his companies act as intermediaries to deposit and hold large amounts of funds for senior-level South Sudanese officials outside of South Sudan in an attempt to avoid sanctions.

Nabah is designated for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Al-Cardinal.

ADDRESSING SANCTIONS EVASION

The Treasury Department continues to target enablers of corruption, money launderers, and terrorist financiers who use front companies, real estate, and other methods, often in the name of relatives or associates, to conceal beneficial ownership of ill-gotten proceeds and to establish businesses to evade sanctions. This practice is particularly detrimental when it involves foreign political officials who can leverage state institutions and the appearance of legitimacy to facilitate large-scale money movements, control of lucrative public resources, or trade in illicit goods.

The Department of the Treasury promotes international anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) standards with partners around the world to reduce opportunities for abuse of the global financial system. Treasury works with foreign governments and multilateral partners as well as financial institutions, money transmitters, broker-dealers, the real estate sector, and other applicable sectors to inform them of illicit finance risks and ensure that AML/CFT and sanctions measures are properly designed and implemented. Treasury has also issued targeted advisories to assist in identifying potential sanctions evasion activity.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the individual and entity above, and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by them, individually, or with other blocked persons, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons, are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or otherwise exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods or services from any such person.

GLOBAL MAGNITSKY

Building upon the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, the President signed E.O. 13818 on December 20, 2017, in which the President found that the prevalence of human rights abuse and corruption that have their source, in whole or in substantial part, outside the United States, had reached such scope and gravity that it threatens the stability of international political and economic systems. Human rights abuse and corruption undermine the values that form an essential foundation of stable, secure, and functioning societies; have devastating impacts on individuals; weaken democratic institutions; degrade the rule of law; perpetuate violent conflicts; facilitate the activities of dangerous persons; and undermine economic markets. The United States seeks to impose tangible and significant consequences on those who commit serious human rights abuse or engage in corruption, as well as to protect the financial system of the United States from abuse by these same persons.

Links:

State Department Press Releases: Zineb Jammeh , Nabah Limited

Treasury Department Press Release

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Ah… the missing piece from yesterday’s Global Magnitsky designations…

September 16, 2020, 8:06 am

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PRESS RELEASES

Treasury Sanctions Chinese Entity in Cambodia Under Global Magnitsky Authority

September 15, 2020

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated one Chinese state-owned entity, Union Development Group Co., Ltd. (UDG), for seizure and demolition of local Cambodians’ land for the construction of the Dara Sakor development project. OFAC designated this People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-owned entity pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption, and their supporters. UDG conducted some of these activities through Kun Kim (Kim), a senior Cambodian general previously designated by OFAC on December 9, 2019 pursuant to E.O. 13818, for his involvement in corruption.

“After falsely registering as a Cambodian-owned entity in order to receive land for the Dara Sakor development project, UDG reverted to its true ownership and continued to operate without repercussions,” said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. “The United States is committed to using the full range of its authorities to target these practices wherever they occur.”

In addition, the land provided to UDG extends into Botum Sakor National Park, a protected natural area that can only be handed over by royal decree. In order to receive the land, UDG registered itself as a Cambodian-owned company, headed by a Cambodian national, but nevertheless within three years of receiving the land, UDG switched back to being a Chinese-owned and operated company without repercussion.

MALIGN CHINESE INVESTMENT IN CAMBODIA

The PRC has used UDG’s projects in Cambodia to advance ambitions to project power globally. UDG-funded activities have forced Cambodians from their land and devastated the environment, hurting the livelihoods of local communities, all under the guise of converting Cambodia into a regional logistics hub and tourist destination. As is too often the case with Beijing’s One Belt One Road initiative, these activities have disproportionately benefitted the PRC, at the expense of the Cambodian people.

Of additional concern are media reports that the Cambodian government spokesperson, Phay Siphan, said that Dara Sakor could be converted to host military assets. A permanent PRC military presence in Cambodia could threaten regional stability and undermine the prospects for the peaceful settlement of disputes, the promotion of maritime safety and security, and the freedom of navigation and overflight.

Today’s action builds upon recent steps taken by the United States to demonstrate our support for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and the sovereignty of the Cambodian people. The United States is actively taking steps to deter the PRC’s exploitative investments and to stand with our partners and allies in Southeast Asia.

UNION DEVELOPMENT GROUP

UDG is a PRC state-owned entity acting for or on behalf of a PRC official that, on May 9, 2008, was granted a 99-year lease with the Cambodian government for 36,000 hectares (approximately 90,000 acres) of land in the Koh Kong province of Cambodia. Following the approved lease, UDG began to develop the $3.8 billion Dara Sakor project, ostensibly to be used as a tourism development. The size of the development is in violation of Cambodian law, which limits land concessions to 10,000 hectares.

Additionally, UDG, through Kim, used Cambodian military forces to intimidate local villagers and to clear out land necessary for UDG to build the Dara Sakor project. Kim was instrumental in the UDG development and reaped significant financial benefit from his relationships with UDG. Specifically, with the assistance of Cambodian military forces provided through Kim, UDG prevented local villagers from planting rice paddy fields on the disputed land and was also accused of burning down the houses of villagers with whom it had conflicts, and of using private security and Cambodian military forces to control the movements of local villagers. Both the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Cambodia’s Council of Ministers asked UDG to stop using Cambodian military forces to take land from the Cambodian people. Cambodia’s Council of Ministers issued a directive ordering UDG to stop destroying villagers’ property; however, UDG ignored the directive and continued the destruction.

UDG is designated for being a person acting for or on behalf of a current or former government official, who is responsible for or complicit in, or has directly or indirectly engaged in corruption, including the misappropriation of state assets, the expropriation of private assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts or the extraction of natural resources, or bribery.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the entity above, and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by it, individually, or with other blocked persons, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons, are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or otherwise exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods or services from any such person.

GLOBAL MAGNITSKY

Building upon the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, the President signed E.O. 13818 on December 20, 2017, in which the President found that the prevalence of human rights abuse and corruption that have their source, in whole or in substantial part, outside the United States, had reached such scope and gravity that it threatens the stability of international political and economic systems. Human rights abuse and corruption undermine the values that form an essential foundation of stable, secure, and functioning societies; have devastating impacts on individuals; weaken democratic institutions; degrade the rule of law; perpetuate violent conflicts; facilitate the activities of dangerous persons; and undermine economic markets. The United States seeks to impose tangible and significant consequences on those who commit serious human rights abuse or engage in corruption, as well as to protect the financial system of the United States from abuse by these same persons.

and the one from State:

The United States Sanctions Chinese State-Owned Entity for its Role in Corruption in Cambodia

PRESS STATEMENT

MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

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China is the world’s largest emitter of environmental pollution including of greenhouse gases and the exploitation of natural resources around the globe. Today, the United States again took action by imposing sanctions on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-owned Union Development Group, Ltd. (UDG) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, for its role in corrupt activities in Cambodia.

Today’s action demonstrates how the Chinese Communist Party coopts companies to expand its influence, including by working through corrupt officials to use military force against innocent people in a blatant attempt to secure illicit financial gains. There are credible reports that the coastal development project at Dara Sakor could be used to host PRC military assets, and if so would go against Cambodia’s Constitution and could threaten Indo-Pacific stability, possibly impacting Cambodia’s sovereignty and the security of our allies.

The government of Cambodia granted UDG a 99-year lease in 2008 for the development of the Dara Sakor project on a site that encompasses almost 20 percent of the country’s coastline. UDG was founded as a wholly-owned PRC corporation, but became a Cambodian enterprise in order to receive the lease for nearly 90,000 acres of land. The company then went back to being PRC-owned after acquisition of the lease and resulting land.

In conjunction with a former Cambodian Army official, the Cambodian military cleared the leased land by force using violent tactics. Then Royal Cambodian Armed Forces chief of staff, Kun Kim (Kim), reaped significant financial benefit from this relationship with UDG. Kim was previously designated by the United States for his role in corruption under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program in December 2019. The land in question is also considered part of Botum Sakor National Park, a protected natural area.

The United States stands with the Cambodian people and calls on the world to join us in condemning corruption and environmental degradation.

Umm… why is the U.S. taking action here, rather than Cambodia? Even if the facts are all accurate, they still seem like a pretext, especially in light of the recent actions against Chinese actions in the South China Sea.

You may have wondered about why I didn’t post these yesterday. Well, my email feed from the State Department didn’t include this press release. I only decided to look for these because there was a story about how the U.S. imposed sanctions on the company – and, after I saw that they had been omitted from the press releases I did get, I got curious.

Something seems fishy.

Link:

Treasury Press Release

State Department Press Release

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The Case of the Missing Email

September 17, 2020, 7:39 am

≫ Next: 7031(c) Corruption Designations: Felipe Alejos Lorenzana & Delia Bac

≪ Previous: Ah… the missing piece from yesterday’s Global Magnitsky designations…

Today’s episode of Mr. Watchlist’s DesigNation is about the OFAC designation of the Chinese state-owned company Union Development Group, and why the State Department press release, which is available on their website, did not go out by email.

And my friends tell me they didn’t get Treasury’s PR in their email, either.

I have a theory… it’s a bit conspiratorial, but it makes some sense to me.

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7031(c) Corruption Designations: Felipe Alejos Lorenzana & Delia Bac

October 29, 2020, 8:19 am

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Public Designation of Current and Former Members of the Guatemalan Congress Due to Involvement in Significant Corruption

PRESS STATEMENT

MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE

OCTOBER 28, 2020

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Today, I am announcing the designation of First Secretary in the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala, Felipe Alejos Lorenzana, and former Deputy Delia Bac, due to their involvement in significant corruption. Mr. Alejos’ and Ms. Bac’s corruption has undermined the rule of law and the Guatemalan public’s faith in their government and their country’s democratic institutions and public processes. While acting in his official capacity as a deputy in the Guatemalan Congress, Mr. Alejos was involved in corrupt acts to enrich himself, while also seriously harming U.S. businesses’ international economic activity. In her official capacity as a deputy from 2008 to 2020, Ms. Bac was involved in corrupt acts including using her political influence for the personal enrichment and advancement of herself and her family.

These designations are made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2020 (Div. G, P.L. 116-94). Under Section 7031(c), once the Secretary of State designates officials of foreign governments for their involvement, directly or indirectly, in significant corruption, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States.

The law also requires the Secretary of State to either publicly or privately designate such officials and their immediate family members. In addition to Mr. Alejos, the Department is publicly designating his spouse, Maria Ximena Morales de Alejos, and his minor sons.

These designations reaffirm the commitment of the United States to combating corruption in Guatemala. We stand with the Guatemalan people in this fight. The Department will continue to use these legal authorities to promote accountability for corrupt actors who operate with impunity in the region and globally.

For more information, please contact INL-PAPD@state.gov.

Link:

State Department Press Release

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Former Nicaraguan President designated under Section 7031(c)

November 9, 2020, 1:47 pm

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Designation of Former President of Nicaragua Aleman Due to Involvement in Significant Corruption

PRESS STATEMENT

MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE

NOVEMBER 9, 2020

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Today, I am announcing the public designation of former Nicaraguan President Arnoldo Aleman due to his involvement in significant corruption. In his official capacity as President of Nicaragua from 1997 to 2002, Aleman was involved in corrupt acts such as misappropriating millions of dollars of public funds for the benefit of himself and members of his family. While this designation is based on acts during his time in office, Aleman’s corruption continues to reverberate in Nicaragua today. With this designation, I am reaffirming the importance of accountability and transparency in Nicaragua’s democratic institutions.

This designation is made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2020 (Div. G, P.L. 116-94). Under Section 7031(c), once the Secretary of State designates officials of foreign governments for their involvement, directly or indirectly, in significant corruption, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States. In addition to Aleman, the Department is publicly designating the following members of Aleman’s immediate family: Maria Fernanda Flores Lanzas, Maria Dolores Aleman Cardenal, and Jose Aleman Cardenal.

This designation reaffirms the U.S. commitment to supporting political reforms key to Nicaragua’s democratic institutions. The United States continues to stand with the people of Nicaragua. The Department will continue to use authorities like this to promote accountability for corrupt actors in this region and globally.

For more information, please contact INL-PAPD@state.gov

Link:

State Department Press Release

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OFAC adds 6 to Global Magnitsky sanctions

December 9, 2020, 12:44 pm

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OFAC has added the following persons:

KOI, Wan Kuok (a.k.a. KUOK-KUI, Wan; a.k.a. “Broken Tooth”; a.k.a. “Brokentooth”; a.k.a. “GUOJU, Yin”; a.k.a. “KUI, Bung Nga”), Macau; DOB 29 Jul 1955; Gender Male; Passport 31135083 (Portugal) expires 27 Mar 2023 (individual) [GLOMAG].

MATRAIMOV, Raimbek (a.k.a. MATRAIMOV, Raimbek Ismailovich; a.k.a. MATRAIMOV, Raiymbek; a.k.a. MATRAIMOV, Rayimbek; a.k.a. YSMAIYLOV, Raiym), Osh, Kyrgyzstan; DOB 03 May 1971; POB Agartuu, Kyrgyzstan; nationality Kyrgyzstan; Gender Male; National ID No. 1340572 issued 07 Aug 2010 expires 07 Aug 2029; alt. National ID No. 1877213 (Kyrgyzstan) expires 15 Oct 2030; alt. National ID No. 1825229 (Kyrgyzstan) expires 14 Sep 2030 (individual) [GLOMAG].

SHERMAN, Harry Varney Gboto-Nambi, 17th Street and Chessman Avenue, Sinkor, P.O. Box 10-3218,10, Monrovia, Liberia; 11803 Backus Drive, Bowie, MD 20720-4464, United States; DOB 16 Feb 1953; POB Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County, Liberia; nationality Liberia; Gender Male; Passport PP0099877 (Liberia) expires 28 May 2025 (individual) [GLOMAG].

and entities:

DONGMEI INVESTMENT GROUP CO., LIMITED (Chinese Traditional: 東美投資集團有限公司) (a.k.a. DONGMEI GROUP), Hong Kong, China; C.R. No. 2920383 (Hong Kong) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: KOI, Wan Kuok).

PALAU CHINA HUNG-MUN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION, Palau; Organization Established Date 2019 [GLOMAG] (Linked To: KOI, Wan Kuok).

WORLD HONGMEN HISTORY AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION (Chinese Traditional: 世界洪門歷史文化協會), Cambodia; Organization Established Date 2018 [GLOMAG] (Linked To: KOI, Wan Kuok).

under its Global Magnitsky sanctions program for corruption and/or human rights abuses. Which is it? Let’s see Treasury’s press release…

PRESS RELEASES

Treasury Sanctions Corrupt Actors in Africa and Asia

December 9, 2020

Global Magnitsky designations target corrupt actors and their networks on International Anti-Corruption Day

Washington – Today, on International Anti-Corruption Day, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is targeting corrupt actors and their networks across several countries in Africa and Asia. Today’s actions are taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, and targets perpetrators of corruption and serious human rights abuse.

“On International Anti-Corruption Day, Treasury remains fully committed to imposing costs on those who facilitate corruption at the expense of the people,” said Deputy Secretary Justin G. Muzinich.

To raise public awareness for anti-corruption initiatives, International Anti-Corruption Day has been observed annually on December 9 since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) on October 31, 2003. There are currently 187 States parties to the UNCAC. In addition to sending a message against corrupt behavior, Treasury uses its tools to increase transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. With these designations, Treasury encourages all governments to implement anti-money laundering reforms to address corruption vulnerabilities.

CORRUPTION IN LIBERIA: HARRY VARNEY GBOTO-NAMBI SHERMAN

Harry Varney Gboto-Nambi Sherman (Sherman), now a prominent lawyer, Liberian senator, and Chair of the Liberian Senate Judiciary Committee, offered bribes to multiple judges associated with his trial for a 2010 bribery scheme, and he had an undisclosed conflict of interest with the judge who ultimately returned a not guilty verdict in July 2019. Sherman has routinely paid judges to decide cases in his favor, and he has allegedly facilitated payments to Liberian politicians to support impeachment of a judge who has ruled against him.

In the 2010 scheme that led to this trial, Sherman was hired by a British mining company in an effort to obtain one of Liberia’s last remaining mining assets, the Wologizi iron ore concession. Sherman advised the company that, in order to obtain the contract, they first had to get Liberia’s procurement and concessions law changed by bribing senior officials. In 2016, Sherman was indicted by the Liberian government, along with several other government officials, for their involvement in the USD 950,000 bribery scheme. In 2019, the presiding judge acquitted all individuals accused of being involved in the bribery scheme. Sherman’s acts of bribery demonstrate a larger pattern of behavior to exercise influence over the Liberian judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.

Sherman is designated for being a foreign person who is a current or former government official responsible for or complicit in, or directly or indirectly engaged in, corruption, including the misappropriation of state assets, the expropriation of private assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts or the extraction of natural resources, or bribery.

CORRUPTION IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC: RAIMBEK MATRAIMOV

Raimbek Matraimov (Matraimov), a former deputy of the Kyrgyz Customs Service, was involved in a customs scheme in which at least USD 700 million was laundered from the Kyrgyz Republic. The scheme involved a company and their evasion of customs fees. The company would bribe customs officials, and, in return, these customs officials would clear more expensive products as low-value goods allowing for maximum profits. Additionally, the company’s goods would pass more quickly through customs terminals. The goods of other companies, not associated with this company and not paying bribes, would often be thoroughly inspected, unloaded from the trucks, and sit in customs warehouses for weeks, if not months. Matraimov used his position to ensure that the company’s goods would be able to seamlessly pass through the borders of the Kyrgyz Republic. Matraimov was in charge of collecting and distributing bribes that came from this company. Furthermore, Matraimov assisted this company in smuggling cash into the Kyrgyz Republic via couriers. When these couriers, carrying a large amount of cash, would be approached by Kyrgyz law enforcement at an airport, the couriers would use Matraimov’s name in an attempt to continue with their journey. Matraimov, utilizing his former position as deputy of the Kyrgyz Customs Service, made hundreds of millions of dollars as a result of his involvement in the customs scheme.

Matraimov is designated for being a foreign person who is a current or former government official responsible for or complicit in, or directly or indirectly engaged in, corruption, including the misappropriation of state assets, the expropriation of private assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts or the extraction of natural resources, or bribery.

CORRUPTION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: BROKEN TOOTH

Wan Kuok Koi, also commonly known as “Broken Tooth,” is a member of the Communist Party of China’s (CCP) Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and is a leader of the 14K Triad, one of the largest Chinese organized criminal organizations in the world that engages in drug trafficking, illegal gambling, racketeering, human trafficking, and a range of other criminal activities. In addition to bribery, corruption, and graft, the 14K Triad has engaged in similar illicit activities in Palau.

Broken Tooth is designated for being a foreign person who is a leader or official of an entity, including any government entity, that has engaged in, or whose members have engaged in, corruption, including the misappropriation of state assets, the expropriation of private assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts or the extraction of natural resources, or bribery.

OFAC also designated three entities that are owned or controlled by Broken Tooth:

•   World Hongmen History and Culture Association, based in Cambodia and established in 2018 by Broken Tooth;
•   Dongmei Group, based in Hong Kong; and
•   Palau China Hung-Mun Cultural Association, based in Palau.

In 2018, Broken Tooth established the headquarters of the World Hongmen History and Culture Association in Cambodia. Hongmen (or “Hung Mun”) is a global Chinese fraternal organization established in the mid-1600s and is synonymous with “Triad” in Hong Kong and Macau. The 14K Triad is utilizing Broken Tooth’s World Hongmen History and Culture Association as an effort to legitimize itself.

The World Hongmen History and Culture Association has managed to co-opt elite figures in Malaysia and Cambodia. This continues a pattern of overseas Chinese actors trying to paper over illegal criminal activities by framing their actions in terms of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the China Dream, or other major initiatives of the CCP. The World Hongmen History and Culture Association is spreading across Southeast Asia, establishing a powerful business network involved in the development and launching of crypto currencies, real estate, and most recently a security company specialized in protecting BRI investments.

The Chinese enterprises behind the BRI projects have several things in common: their leadership has links to criminal networks or actors involved in illicit activities in other parts of Southeast Asia, as well as China; they have pre-existing organizations engaged in casinos and crypto currencies; they advertise themselves online to be associated with Beijing’s BRI and flaunt connections with key Chinese government agencies; and all of them have established associations that actively seek to assist Chinese nationals.

In addition to furthering the CCP’s BRI via the World Hongmen History and Culture Association, Broken Tooth also heads the Dongmei Group. The Dongmei Group is the key investor in the Saixigang Zone in Burma.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the persons above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or otherwise exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

GLOBAL MAGNITSKY

Building upon the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, the President signed E.O. 13818 on December 20, 2017, in which the President found that the prevalence of human rights abuse and corruption that have their source, in whole or in substantial part, outside the United States, had reached such scope and gravity that it threatens the stability of international political and economic systems. Human rights abuse and corruption undermine the values that form an essential foundation of stable, secure, and functioning societies; have devastating impacts on individuals; weaken democratic institutions; degrade the rule of law; perpetuate violent conflicts; facilitate the activities of dangerous persons; and undermine economic markets. The United States seeks to impose tangible and significant consequences on those who commit serious human rights abuse or engage in corruption, as well as to protect the financial system of the United States from abuse by these same persons.

Link:

OFAC Notice

Treasury Press Release

↧

Former Slovak Republic Prosecutor General gets 7031(c) designation

February 25, 2021, 12:23 pm

≫ Next: Ukrainian Oligarch designated under Section 7031(c) for corruption

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Designation of Former Prosecutor General Dobroslav Trnka of the Slovak Republic for Involvement in Significant Corruption

PRESS STATEMENT

ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE

FEBRUARY 25, 2021

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Today, I am announcing the public designation of former Prosecutor General Dobroslav Trnka of the Slovak Republic due to his involvement in significant corruption. In his official capacity as the Prosecutor General of Slovakia, Trnka was involved in corrupt acts that undermined rule of law and the Slovak public’s faith in their government’s democratic institutions, officials, and public processes.

This designation is made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2020. In addition to the designation of former Prosecutor General Trnka, I am publicly designating his son, Jakub Trnka. This action renders both former Prosecutor General Trnka and Jakub Trnka ineligible for entry into the United States.

This designation reaffirms U.S. commitment to combating corruption in Slovakia. The United States continues to stand with the people of Slovakia in their fight against corruption. The Department will continue to use these authorities to promote accountability for corrupt actors in this region and globally. This designation does not seek to prejudge or influence ongoing or future Slovak legal proceedings involving Mr. Trnka.

For more information, please contact INL-PAPD@state.gov.

Link:

State Department Press Release

↧

Ukrainian Oligarch designated under Section 7031(c) for corruption

March 5, 2021, 6:57 am

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Public Designation of Oligarch and Former Ukrainian Public Official Ihor Kolomoyskyy Due to Involvement in Significant Corruption

PRESS STATEMENT

ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE

MARCH 5, 2021

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Today, I am announcing the public designation of oligarch and former Ukrainian public official Ihor Kolomoyskyy due to his involvement in significant corruption. In his official capacity as a Governor of Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk Oblast from 2014 to 2015, Kolomoyskyy was involved in corrupt acts that undermined rule of law and the Ukrainian public’s faith in their government’s democratic institutions and public processes, including using his political influence and official power for his personal benefit. While this designation is based on acts during his time in office, I also want to express concern about Kolomoyskyy’s current and ongoing efforts to undermine Ukraine’s democratic processes and institutions, which pose a serious threat to its future.

This designation is made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2020. In addition to Ihor Kolomoyskyy, I am publicly designating the following members of Ihor Kolomoyskyy’s immediate family: his wife, Iryna Kolomoyska, his daughter, Angelika Kolomoyska, and his son, Israel Zvi Kolomoyskyy. This action renders Ihor Kolomoyskyy and each of these members of his immediate family ineligible for entry into the United States.

This designation reaffirms the U.S. commitment to supporting political, economic, and justice sector reforms that are key to Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic path. The United States continues to stand with all Ukrainians whose work drives reforms forward. The Department will continue to use authorities like this to promote accountability for corrupt actors in this region and globally.

For more information, please contact INL-PAPD@state.gov.

Link:

State Department Press Release

↧

Paraguay Congressperson gets Section 7031(c) designation for corruption

April 6, 2021, 8:42 am

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Designation of Representative in Paraguayan Congress for Involvement in Significant Corruption

PRESS STATEMENT

ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE

APRIL 6, 2021

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I am announcing today the public designation of a Representative in the Paraguayan Legislature’s Lower House, Ulises Rolando Quintana Maldonado due to his involvement in significant corruption. During his time as a representative, Mr. Quintana engaged in acts that facilitated transnational organized crime, undermined the rule of law, and obstructed the public’s faith in Paraguay’s public processes.

This designation is made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021. In addition to the designation of Mr. Quintana, I am publicly designating his wife, Mirtha Beatriz Esperanza Fariña Velausteguiz. This action renders both Mr. Quintana and his wife as ineligible for entry into the United States.

The United States continues to stand with the people of Paraguay in their fight against corruption and to hold their elected leaders accountable. This designation reaffirms the U.S. commitment to combating corruption in Paraguay, the tri-border region, and globally.

For more information, please contact INL-PAPD@state.gov.

Link:

State Department Press Release

↧

OFAC adds 2 to Global Magnitsky sanctions for corruption

April 26, 2021, 12:41 pm

≫ Next: UK makes new Global Anti-Corruption sanctions program, adds 22 listings, and the US approves

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Today, OFAC added the following persons to the SDN List under its Global Magnitsky anti-corruption/human rights program:

ALEJOS CAMBARA, Gustavo Adolfo (a.k.a. ALEJOS CAMBARA, Gustavo), Guatemala; DOB 25 Oct 1966; POB Guatemala; nationality Guatemala; Gender Male; Passport 00728220K (Guatemala) expires 26 Jul 2009 (individual) [GLOMAG].

ALEJOS LORENZANA, Felipe (a.k.a. ALEJOS, Felipe), Guatemala; DOB 03 Oct 1984; POB Guatemala; nationality Guatemala; Gender Male; Passport 157297144 (Guatemala) expires 09 May 2023; alt. Passport 157297148 (Guatemala) expires 20 Apr 2017 (individual) [GLOMAG].

And Treasury:

PRESS RELEASES

Treasury Sanctions Current and Former Guatemalan Officials for Engaging in Corrupt Activities

April 26, 2021

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned one current and one former Guatemalan government official for their roles in corruption in Guatemala. This action targets Gustavo Adolfo Alejos Cambara, the former Chief of Staff for the Alvaro Colom presidential administration, and Felipe Alejos Lorenzana, an elected delegate to the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala. These individuals are designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption around the world. These sanctions reinforce actions taken last year by the U.S. Department of State to publicly designate both individuals, and their immediate family members, under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act due to their involvement in significant corruption.

“When elected officials in Guatemala pursue self-enrichment in their official duties, it is an affront to democratic principles in the region,” said Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen. “This action serves to shine a light on corruption and promote accountability for those who would seek to thwart the judicial process.”

Today’s actions were undertaken in close coordination with the United Kingdom, which has established a new anti-corruption sanctions regime. Coordinated actions using these global sanctions regimes enable likeminded partners to form a unified front to identify, promote accountability for, and disrupt access to the international financial system by corrupt actors and their networks. The United States will continue to engage closely with our allies to impose tangible and significant consequences on those who engage in corruption.

CORRUPTION IN GUATEMALA’S JUDICIAL SELECTION PROCESS

Since the Government of Guatemala’s decision not to renew the mandate of the United Nations-established International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) in 2019, which is an organization that was originally created to work with the Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office to investigate corruption-related cases, certain Guatemalan politicians, many of whom are the targets of criminal investigations in Guatemala, continue to thwart anti-graft policies. These officials have sought to eliminate Guatemala’s Special Prosecutor against Impunity (FECI), tasked with investigating CICIG-assigned cases. According to investigations by the Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office, they have also sought to exert influence on the judicial selection process for appointing magistrates to Guatemala’s high courts. The current selection process to appoint magistrates to Guatemala’s Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) and Court of Appeal began in June 2019 but has faced many irregularities and procedural failures.

In February 2020, FECI discovered that while in pre-trial detention for his prior alleged corrupt activities, Gustavo Adolfo Alejos Cambara (Gustavo), the former Chief of Staff for the Alvaro Colom presidential administration from 2008–2012, had been seeking to influence the judicial selection process for magistrates to the CSJ and Court of Appeals. To do this, Gustavo reportedly facilitated payments to congressional representatives and judges on the CSJ, in coordination with Felipe Alejos Lorenzana (Felipe), to influence an outcome at both institutions that would secure Gustavo’s future release from prison, dismiss the corruption charges against him, and protect Felipe — as well as CSJ judges — from future prosecution due to corruption.

As a result of FECI’s investigation, the Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office requested an injunction with respect to the judicial selection process. The Public Prosecutor’s Office argued that the candidate rosters submitted had been tampered with and influenced by individuals who were facing criminal charges. The Constitutional Court reviewed the report prepared by the Public Prosecutor’s Office that described Gustavo’s relationships and ruled that the judges would instead be elected by vote; any candidates deemed unsuitable would be excluded from the election.

Additionally, Gustavo, who is currently under house arrest, has been the target of several corruption-related investigations. For instance, in 2019, Gustavo was accused of receiving bribes from a businessman as part of a corruption network involving money laundering and bribery in government construction contracts in Guatemala. Gustavo reportedly purchased offshore assets in Panama and Belize in an effort to obfuscate these funds; Gustavo also purchased property that was later gifted to officials in exchange for political favors. FECI issued an arrest warrant against Gustavo related to this these alleged corrupt activities.

Felipe, an elected delegate to the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala for the 2020–2024 term, is a close associate of Gustavo. Felipe allegedly facilitated bribes and payments from private construction firms for ongoing or potential state infrastructure contracts to congressional representatives, with the goal of ensuring congressional support of Constitutional Court magistrates and alternates, who would support a future Constitutional Court ruling favoring Felipe’s immunity, keeping Felipe and other congressional representatives out of jail.

Gustavo and Felipe are designated pursuant to E.O. 13818 for being foreign persons who are current or former government officials, or persons acting for or on behalf of such an official, who are responsible for or complicit in, or who have directly or indirectly engaged in, corruption, including the misappropriation of state assets, the expropriation of private assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts or the extraction of natural resources, or bribery.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the persons above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or otherwise exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

GLOBAL MAGNITSKY

Building upon the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, E.O. 13818 was issued on December 20, 2017, in recognition that the prevalence of human rights abuse and corruption that have their source, in whole or in substantial part, outside the United States, had reached such scope and gravity as to threaten the stability of international political and economic systems. Human rights abuse and corruption undermine the values that form an essential foundation of stable, secure, and functioning societies; have devastating impacts on individuals; weaken democratic institutions; degrade the rule of law; perpetuate violent conflicts; facilitate the activities of dangerous persons; and undermine economic markets. The United States seeks to impose tangible and significant consequences on those who commit serious human rights abuse or engage in corruption, as well as to protect the financial system of the United States from abuse by these same persons.

and State:

The United States Sanctions Guatemalan Officials for Corruption

PRESS STATEMENT

ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE
APRIL 26, 2021

Today, the United States is imposing sanctions on one current and one former Guatemalan government official—Gustavo Adolfo Alejos Cambara and Felipe Alejos Lorenzana, respectively—for their role in corruption in Guatemala.

Gustavo Alejos and Felipe Alejos sought to interfere with the judicial selection process for appointing magistrates to Guatemala’s Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) and Court of Appeals. Gustavo Alejos served as chief of staff for the 2008-2012 Alvaro Colom presidential administration, and Felipe Alejos is an elected delegate to the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala for the 2020-2024 term. Together, they reportedly facilitated payments to congressional representatives and judges in an attempt to influence the selection process for magistrates to both courts and to secure favorable judicial rulings that would protect Gustavo Alejos—as well as CSJ judges —from current and future corruption prosecutions.

Gustavo Alejos and Felipe Alejos are designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption around the world. These sanctions also reinforce actions taken last year by the U.S. Department of State to publicly designate both individuals, and their immediate family members, under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act due to their involvement in significant corruption.

These sanctions support efforts by the people of Guatemala to end the scourge of corruption, as part of the U.S. government’s commitment to support improvements in governance in Guatemala. Led by Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as Special Envoy for the Northern Triangle Ricardo Zuniga, these commitments target reforms that will improve transparency and the rule of law and lead to better conditions for the good of the Guatemalan people so they can build a brighter future.

These sanction actions are undertaken in close coordination with the United Kingdom and coincide with the establishment of its new anti-corruption sanctions regime. By coordinating with like-minded global partners, we can more effectively combat corruption, including by disrupting access to the international financial system by corrupt actors and their networks. The United States will continue to engage closely with its allies to impose tangible and significant consequences on corrupt actors.

issued press releases about it.

Links:

OFAC Notice

Treasury Press Release

State Department Press Release

↧

UK makes new Global Anti-Corruption sanctions program, adds 22 listings, and the US approves

April 26, 2021, 1:03 pm

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Introduction

26/04/2021

1. On 26 April 2021, the Foreign Secretary laid before Parliament the Global Anti- Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/488) (the Regulations). The Regulations are made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (the Sanctions Act) and provide for the freezing of funds and economic resources of certain persons, entities or bodies involved in serious corruption.

2. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have updated the UK Sanctions List on GOV.UK. This list provides details of those designated under regulations made under the Sanctions Act. A link to the UK Sanctions List can be found below.

3. Following the publication of the UK Sanctions List, information on the Consolidated List has been updated.

And they added 22 persons to the new program:

1. ALEJOS LORENZANA, Felipe
DOB: 03/10/1984. Nationality: Guatemala Position: Deputy and Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Congress of Guatemala Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0021 (UK Statement of Reasons): Alejos Lorenzana is a Deputy and Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Congress of Guatemala. He has been involved in serious corruption using his position to attract clients with the offer of expediting the refund of tax credits in exchange for bribes, and benefitting from commission charges He is responsible for, and facilitated or provided support for, and benefitted from, serious corruption. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14089.

2. ALI, Ashraf Said Ahmed Hussein
DOB: (1) --/01/1957. (2) 01/04/1957. a.k.a: (1) AL-CARDINAL (2) ALI, Ashiraf, Seed, Ahmed (3) ALI, Ashraf, Hussein (4) ALI, Ashraf, Sayed (5) ALI, Ashraf, Seed, Ahmed (6) ALI, Ashraf, Seed, Ahmed, Hussein (7) ALI, Ashraff, Seed, Ahmed Nationality: (1) Sudan (2) South Sudan (3) possibly United Arab Emirates Passport Details: B00018325 Address: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Position: Businessman Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0015 (UK Statement of Reasons): Ashraf Seed Ahmed Hussein Ali, widely known as Al-Cardinal, has been involved in serious corruption in South Sudan involving the misappropriation of state property to his benefit and the benefit of others. He has been the beneficiary of commitments from the State which constituted the improper diversion of significant amounts of government revenues and funds. His actions facilitated or provided support for serious corruption that has caused damage to South Sudan’s public finances and contributed to ongoing instability and conflict. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14097.

3. ESSA, Salim Azziz
Title: Mr DOB: 15/01/1978. POB: Johannesburg, South Africa Nationality: South Africa Passport Details: (1) M00073786. Expiry: 08 Nov 2022. (2) 481034886. Expiry: 06 Nov 2018. (3) M00134539. Expiry: 28 Dec 2024. (4) 48103. Expiry: 08 Nov 2022. Address: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Position: Businessperson Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0019 Ajay Kumar Gupta (business partner), Atul Kumar Gupta (business partner), Rajesh Kumar Gupta (business partner). (UK Statement of Reasons): Salim Essa, in association with Ajay Gupta, Atul Gupta and Rajesh Gupta, has been involved in serious corruption in South Africa, involving the misappropriation of property. He has been responsible for this corruption by playing a key part in its organisation and has financially benefitted from it. This corruption caused serious damage to South Africa. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14087.

4. GORDIEVSKY, Stanislav Evgenievich
Title: Major DOB: 09/09/1977. POB: Russia a.k.a: (1) GORDIEVSKIY, Stanislav, Evgenievich (2) GORDIEVSKIY, Stanislav, Yevgyenyevich (3) GORDIEVSKY, Stanislav, Yevgyenyevich Nationality: Russia Position: Investigator of the Investigative Department of the South Administrative District, of the Prosecutor Service in Moscow Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0003 (UK Statement of Reasons): In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Gordievsky participated in the fraud through his actions during the course of a tax investigation into companies involved in the serious corruption. His actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14096.

5. GUPTA, Ajay Kumar
Title: Mr DOB: 05/02/1956. POB: Saharanpur, India Nationality: (1) India (2) South Africa Passport Details: (1) Z1876211. Expiry: 03 Sep 2018. (2) Z1440582. (3) Z2325724. Address: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Position: Businessperson Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0016 Associated with: Atul Gupta (brother/business partner), Rajesh Kumar Gupta (brother/business partner), Salim Essa (business partner). (UK Statement of Reasons): Ajay Gupta, in association with Atul Gupta, Rajesh Gupta and Salim Essa, has been involved in serious corruption in South Africa, involving the misappropriation of property. He has been responsible for this corruption by playing a key part in its organisation and has financially benefitted from it. This corruption caused serious damage to South Africa. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14098.

6. GUPTA, Atul Kumar
Title: Mr DOB: 14/06/1968. POB: Saharanpur, India Nationality: (1) India (2) South Africa Passport Details: (1) 233646059. Expiry: 04 Jun 2018. (2) 477486059. Expiry: 04 Jun 2018. (3) 589623059. Expiry: 04 Jun 2018. Address: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Position: Businessperson Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0017 Associated with: Ajay Kumar Gupta (brother/business partner), Rajesh Kumar Gupta (brother/business partner), Salim Essa (business partner). (UK Statement of Reasons): Atul Gupta, in association with Ajay Gupta, Rajesh Gupta and Salim Essa, has been involved in serious corruption in South Africa, involving the misappropriation of property. He has been responsible for this corruption by playing a key part in its organisation and has financially benefitted from it. This corruption caused serious damage to South Africa. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14100.

7. GUPTA, Rajesh Kumar
Title: Mr DOB: 05/08/1972. POB: Saharanpur, India a.k.a: GUPTA, Tony Nationality: (1) India (2) South Africa Passport Details: (1) M00069726. Expiry: 13 Sep 2022. (2) 462064042. Expiry: 26 Jul 2016. (3) M00006520. Expiry: 26 Jul 2019. (4) M00138156. Expiry: 04 Feb 2025. Address: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Position: Businessperson Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0018 Associated with: Ajay Kumar Gupta (brother/business partner), Atul Kumar Gupta (brother/business partner), Salim Essa (business partner). (UK Statement of Reasons): Rajesh "Tony" Gupta, in association with Ajay Gupta, Atul Gupta and Salim Essa, has been involved in serious corruption in South Africa, involving the misappropriation of property. He has been responsible for this corruption by playing a key part in its organisation and has financially benefitted from it. This corruption caused serious damage to South Africa. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14102.

8. KARPOV, Pavel Aleksandrovich
Title: Major DOB: 27/08/1977. POB: Moscow, Russia a.k.a: KARPOV, Pavel, Alexandrovich Nationality: Russia Passport Details: 604176957 (likely expired) Position: (1) Formerly described as Investigator of the Investigative Unit of the Moscow branch of the Interior Ministry (2) Senior Investigating Officer for Major Cases. Retired July 2012. Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0002 (UK Statement of Reasons): In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of US$ 230 million of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Karpov participated in the fraud through his role as an investigator of alleged tax fraud by the Kameya company. His actions facilitated or provided support for serious corruption, and he benefited financially from the proceeds of the serious corruption. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14094.

9. KHIMINA, Yelena Ivanovna
DOB: 11/09/1953. POB: Moscow, Russia a.k.a: KHIMINA, Elena, Ivanovna Nationality: Russia Position: Head of Moscow Tax Office No. 25 Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0006 (UK Statement of Reasons): In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Khimina participated in the serious corruption through her approval of part of the fraudulent tax rebate. She was responsible for and her actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption. She also transferred or converted, or facilitated the transfer or conversion of, the proceeds of the serious corruption. (Gender): Female Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14083.

10. KHLEBNIKOV, Vyacheslav Georgievich
DOB: 09/07/1967. POB: Tambov, Russia a.k.a: KHLEBNIKOV, Viacheslav, Georgiyevich Nationality: Russia Position: Businessman Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0010 (UK Statement of Reasons): In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Khlebnikov participated in the fraud through his involvement, in particular, in the improper transfer of ownership of the company Makhaon and the submission of applications for fraudulent tax rebates. His actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14103.

11. KLYUEV, Dmitry Vladislavovich
DOB: 10/08/1967. POB: Moscow, Russia a.k.a: (1) CHELTER, Dima (2) KLYUEV, Dmitriy, Vladislovovich Nationality: Russia Position: Owner of Universal Savings Bank Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0012 (UK Statement of Reasons): In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Klyuev participated in the fraud through his involvement, in particular in planning the fraud, and through his ownership of Universal Savings Bank. He was responsible for, and his actions facilitated or provided support for, the serious corruption. He also transferred or converted, or facilitated the transfer or conversion of, the proceeds of the serious corruption. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14091.

12. KUZNETSOV, Artem Konstantinovich
Title: Lt. Colonel DOB: 28/02/1975. POB: Baku, former USSR, now Azerbaijan a.k.a: KUZNETSOV, Artyom, Konstantinovich Nationality: Russia Position: (1) Deputy Division Head, Tax Crimes Department of the Moscow Branch of the Interior Ministry in 2007. (2) After Magnitsky’s death he was promoted to the Interior Ministry’s Economic Security Department. Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0001 (UK Statement of Reasons): In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Kuznetsov participated in the fraud through his involvement, in particular, in seizing documents used to secure the fraudulent tax rebate. He interfered in judicial processes and benefited financially from the proceeds of the serious corruption. His actions facilitated or provided support for serious corruption. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14092.

13. LOPEZ CENTENO, Jose Francisco
DOB: 17/09/1950. POB: Nicaragua a.k.a: LOPEZ CENTENO, Chico, Lopez Nationality: Nicaragua Passport Details: C0915261 (Nicaragua). Address: Nicaragua. Position: (1) Treasurer of Sandinista Party (2) Minister (Advisory) of Production and Trade Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0022 (UK Statement of Reasons): Lopez Centeno was a high-ranking public official and Vice President of state-owned Albanisa. He has been involved in serious corruption by presiding over misappropriation during his leadership whereby public funds were diverted to fake companies, or inflated projects. He has been responsible for serious corruption, and facilitated or supported it. This deprived the Nicaraguan state and its citizens of vital resources for development. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14090.

14. MARKELOV, Viktor Aleksandrovich
DOB: 15/12/1957. POB: Leninskoye village, Uzganskiy District, Osh region, former USSR, now Kyrgyzstan a.k.a: MARKELOV, Viktor, Alexandrovich Nationality: Russia Position: Businessman Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0011 (UK Statement of Reasons): In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Markelov participated in the fraud through his involvement, in particular, in the improper transfer of ownership of the company Parfenion and the submission of applications for fraudulent tax rebates. His actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14104.

15. MAYOROVA, Yulia Mikhailovna
DOB: 23/04/1979. POB: Moscow, Russia a.k.a: (1) MAIOROVA, Yulia, Mikhailovna (2) MAIOROVA, Yuliya, Mikhaylovna (3) MAYOROVA, Yuliya, Mikhaylovna Nationality: Russia Passport Details: 622264502 (as of 2006). Position: Lawyer Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0014 (UK Statement of Reasons): In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Mayorova participated in the fraud through her involvement, in particular, in court processes based on fraudulent claims for damages, as the lawyer representing Makhaon. Her actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption. (Gender): Female Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14095.

16. NAJERA, Oscar Ramon
DOB: 12/12/1950. POB: Honduras Nationality: Honduras Address: Honduras. Position: Congressman Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0020 (UK Statement of Reasons): Najera is a Congressman in the Honduran Congress. He has been involved in serious corruption using his position to facilitate bribes that supported a major drug trafficking organisation, ‘Los Cachiros’, and which enabled the cartel to evade accountability. Conduct of this nature seriously undermines the rule of law and trust in public institutions in Honduras. He is responsible for, and facilitated or provided support for, serious corruption, and financially benefitted from it. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14088.

17. PAVLOV, Andrey Alekseyevich
DOB: 07/08/1977. a.k.a: (1) PAVLOV, Andrei, Alekseevich (2) PAVLOV, Andrei, Alexeevich (3) PAVLOV, Andrei, Alexeyevich Nationality: Russia Position: Lawyer Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0007 (UK Statement of Reasons): In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Pavlov participated in the fraud through his involvement, in particular, in court processes based on fraudulent claims for damages, as the lawyer representing Rilend. His actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14084.

18. PLAKSIN, Gennady Nikolaevich
DOB: 30/08/1961. POB: Klin, Moscow Region, Russia a.k.a: PLAKSIN, Gennadiy, Nikolayevich Position: Former Chairman of the Universal Savings Bank Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0009 (UK Statement of Reasons): In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Plaksin participated in the fraud through his involvement, in particular, in court processes based on fraudulent claims for damages, as the director of Instar LLC. His actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14086.

19. SHESHENYA, Aleksey Nikolaevich
DOB: 16/04/1971. POB: Kommunarsk, Voroshilov region, former USSR, now Ukraine a.k.a: (1) SHESHENIA, Aleksei, Nikolayevich (2) SHESHENIA, Alexei, Nikolayevich (3) SHESHENIA, Alexey, Nikolayevich Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0008 (UK Statement of Reasons): In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Sheshenya participated in the fraud through his involvement, in particular, in court processes based on fraudulent claims for damages, as the director of Grand-Aktiv LLC. His actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14085.

20. STEPANOV, Vladlen Yurievich
DOB: 17/07/1962. a.k.a: STEPANOV, Vladlen, Yuryevich Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0005 Husband of Olga Stepanova at the time of the serious corruption. (UK Statement of Reasons): In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Stepanov participated in the serious corruption through his involvement, in particular, owning the bank account which received the misappropriated funds. His actions provided support for or facilitated the misappropriation. He transferred or converted, or facilitated the transfer or conversion of, the proceeds the serious corruption, and benefitted financially from the serious corruption. Stepanov is also associated with Olga Stepanova, his then wife, who is also a person involved in serious corruption. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14101.

21. STEPANOVA, Olga Germanovna
DOB: 29/07/1962. POB: Moscow, Russia a.k.a: STEPANOVA, Olga, Hermanovna Nationality: Russia Position: Previous Head of Tax Office no. 28 Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0004 Wife of Vladlen Stepanov at the time of the serious corruption. (UK Statement of Reasons): In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Stepanova participated in the serious corruption through her approval of part of the fraudulent tax rebate. She was responsible for and her actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption. She transferred or converted, or facilitated the transfer or conversion of, the proceeds of the serious corruption and benefitted financially from the serious corruption. (Gender): Female Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14099.

22. URZHUMTSEV, Oleg Vyacheslavovich
Title: Lt Col DOB: 22/10/1968. Nationality: Russia Position: Formerly Senior Investigator of the Department for Investigating Organised Economic Criminal Activity of the Investigative Committee under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): GAC0013 (UK Statement of Reasons): In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Urzhumtsev was involved in the fraud, in particular, by closing an investigation into the re-registration of companies involved in the misappropriation. His actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption. (Gender): Male Listed On: 26/04/2021 Last Updated: 26/04/2021 Group ID: 14093.

And the Foreign Secretary announced the designations:

Press release

UK sanctions 22 individuals involved in serious international corruption
English Español
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has announced the UK’s first sanctions under the new Global Anti-Corruption regime.

From:Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and The Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP 
Published:26 April 2021
Last updated: 26 April 2021

sanctions target 22 individuals involved in notorious corruption cases in Russia, South Africa, South Sudan and throughout Latin America

Foreign Secretary vows to stop corrupt individuals using the UK as a safe haven for dirty money

new sanctions regime stops those involved in serious corruption from entering and channelling money through the UK

Individuals involved in some of the world’s most serious cases of corruption will no longer be able to channel their money through UK banks or enter the country thanks to new sanctions announced by the Foreign Secretary today.

The UK has, for the first time, imposed asset freezes and travel bans against 22 individuals under the new Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime which gives the UK unprecedented power to stop corrupt actors profiting from the UK economy and exploiting our citizens.

Corruption hurts individuals and undermines global trade, development and the rule of law. Over 2% of global GDP is lost to corruption every year, and corruption increases the cost of doing business for individual companies by as much as 10%.

Corruption also threatens our national security by exacerbating conflict and facilitating serious and organised crime, creating space for terrorist and criminal groups like Daesh and Boko Haram to operate.

This new regime will allow the UK to combat serious corruption, in particular bribery and misappropriation. It will promote effective governance, robust democratic institutions and the rule of law – demonstrating our power as a force for good around the world.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, said:

Corruption has a corrosive effect as it slows development, drains the wealth of poorer nations and keeps their people trapped in poverty. It poisons the well of democracy.

The individuals we have sanctioned today have been involved in some of the most notorious corruption cases around the world.

Global Britain is standing up for democracy, good governance and the rule of law. We are saying to those involved in serious corruption: we will not tolerate you or your dirty money in our country.

The measures are deliberately targeted, so the UK can impose sanctions on corrupt individuals and their enablers, rather than entire nations.

They are being taken partly in tandem with the US, which is today also announcing further corruption sanctions. Acting together sends the clearest possible signal that corruption comes with a heavy price.

The UK’s first wave of sanctions under this new sanctions regime is targeting:

those involved in the diversion of $230 million of Russian state property through a fraudulent tax refund scheme uncovered by Sergei Magnitsky – one of the largest tax frauds in recent Russian history
Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta and their associate Salim Essa, for their roles in serious corruption. They were at the heart of a long-running process of corruption in South Africa which caused significant damage to its economy
Sudanese businessman Ashraf Seed Ahmed Hussein Ali, widely known as Al Cardinal, for his involvement in the misappropriation of significant amounts of state assets in one of the poorest countries in the world. This diversion of resources in collusion with South Sudanese elites has contributed to ongoing instability and conflict
several individuals involved in serious corruption in Latin America, including facilitating bribes to support a major drug trafficking organisation and misappropriation that has led to citizens being deprived of vital resources for development
The Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime builds on the success of the Global Human Rights sanctions regime established in July 2020, which has resulted in the UK imposing sanctions on 78 individuals and entities involved in serious human rights violations, including from Myanmar, Belarus, China and Russia.

The UK will continue to use a range of means to tackle serious corruption around the world, including funding the International Corruption Unit in the National Crime Agency. The International Corruption Unit and its predecessors have restrained, confiscated or returned over £1.1 billion of stolen assets, stolen from developing countries since 2006.

The full list of designations can be found on the UK sanctions list on GOV.UK.
Media enquiries

Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

Telephone 020 7008 3100

Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

And published a story on the Guatemalan Congressman designation:

World news story

UK sanctions Guatemalan Congressman under new global anti-corruption regime

The UK Government designated today Guatemalan Congressman Felipe Alejos Lorenzana due to his involvement in significant corruption.

From:British Embassy Guatemala City
Published:26 April 2021

British Embassy statement

In his official capacity, Felipe Alejos Lorenzana served as an intermediary for corrupt officials in a largescale corruption scandal involving Guatemala’s Tax Administration. His conduct undermined democracy, the rule of law and good governance in Guatemala. Sanctions include assets freeze and travel ban.

This designation is made under the UK’s Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021, launched today and put in place to prevent and combat serious corruption. The Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021 is secondary legislation laid under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. These regulations have replaced the EU’s sanctions system.

The Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 provides that, in cases where the Secretary of Foreign Affairs has credible information officials of foreign governments have been involved in significant corruption, those involved in serious acts of corruption, such as Felipe Alejos Lorenzana, are prevented from entering the UK, as well as stopping their assets from being able to be dealt with in the UK.

Today’s actions support UK public security interests and sends out a strong political message that the UK considers this conduct unacceptable. The Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime targets individuals, not countries. The UK currently has no other sanctions targeting Guatemalan nationals.

These measures are being taken partly in tandem with the US, which is today also announcing further corruption sanctions. Acting together sends the clearest possible signal that corruption comes with a heavy price.

We continue to support initiatives that align with our own values of democracy, the respect for human rights and the rule of law. We will continue working with Guatemala to strengthen our bilateral economic relationship, and dealing with other top priority issues, such as tackling climate change and keep promoting good governance.

And one for the Honduran designation:

World news story

UK sanctions Honduran Congressman under new global anti-corruption regime

The UK Government designated today Honduran Congressman Oscar Ramón Nájera due to his involvement in significant corruption.

From:British Embassy Guatemala City (for Honduras) Published:26 April 2021

British Embassy statement

In his official capacity, Oscar Ramón Nájera facilitated bribes with public officials that supported a major drug trafficking organisation, ‘Los Cachiros’. Conduct of this nature seriously undermines the rule of law and trust in public institutions in Honduras. Sanctions include assets freeze and travel ban.

This designation is made under the UK’s Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021, launched today and put in place to prevent and combat serious corruption. The Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021 is secondary legislation laid under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. These regulations have replaced the EU’s sanctions system.

The Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering act 2018 provides that, in cases where the Secretary of Foreign Affairs has credible information officials of foreign governments have been involved in significant corruption, those involved in serious acts of corruption, such as Oscar Ramón Nájera, are prevented from entering the UK, as well as stopping their assets from being able to be dealt with in the UK.

Today’s actions support UK public security interests and sends out a strong political message that the UK considers this conduct unacceptable. The Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime targets individuals, not countries. The UK currently has no other sanctions targeting Honduran nationals.

These measures are being taken partly in tandem with the US, which is today also announcing further corruption sanctions. Acting together sends the clearest possible signal that corruption comes with a heavy price.

We continue to support initiatives that align with our own values of democracy, the respect for human rights and the rule of law. We will continue working with Honduras to strengthen our bilateral economic relationship, and dealing with other top priority issues, such as tackling climate change and keep promoting good governance.

And the U.S. State Department:

On the United Kingdom’s Establishment of a Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regime

PRESS STATEMENT

ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE
APRIL 26, 2021

The United States commends the United Kingdom on the establishment of a Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regime, which reinforces the U.S.-UK partnership in the fight against corruption and illicit finance.

Corruption undermines the rule of law, weakens citizens’ trust in their governments, hampers economic growth, and facilitates transnational crime and human rights abuses.  The Global Anti-Corruption-Sanctions Regime strengthens the UK’s efforts to counter corruption globally and complements ongoing U.S. initiatives, enhancing our ability to cooperate and coordinate on comparable human rights and corruption sanctions programs, such as the U.S. Global Magnitsky sanctions program.

Together, along with other allies and partners, we will seek to promote our shared values with similar tools.  Corrupt actors, and their facilitators, will not have access to our financial systems.  The United States looks forward to continuing our partnership with like-minded governments and civil society alike to defend human rights, combat corruption, and promote accountability and good governance.

and Treasury Department:

PRESS RELEASES

Statement by Secretary Janet Yellen On the United Kingdom’s Establishment of a Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regime

April 26, 2021

The United States Department of the Treasury welcomes the enactment today of the United Kingdom’s new Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regime, which builds upon the success of the United Kingdom’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. This new sanctions regime gives the United Kingdom an authority similar to the United States’ Global Magnitsky program and Canada’s Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, which target both human rights abusers and corrupt actors. We stand in close partnership with the United Kingdom in addressing the global challenges of corruption and illicit finance.

Corruption is corrosive to governance and is one of the greatest obstacles to global growth, economic stability, and poverty alleviation. The United Kingdom’s new Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regime provides opportunities for the United States and the United Kingdom to take complementary sanctions actions where appropriate, magnifying the impact of our respective sanctions.

U.S. sanctions are more likely to compel changes in behavior and disrupt threatening activities when pursued in concert with our allies—carrying a more forceful economic impact by disrupting access to the international financial system—and sending a stronger message to malign actors by virtue of our solidarity. The use of sanctions can further incentivize businesses to adopt a more proactive corporate risk and due diligence approach, which takes into account both human rights and corruption issues.

Sanctions are, however, but one tool. In addition to sanctions, Treasury will also support global efforts to combat corruption through provision of guidance to financial institutions; technical assistance; and engagement with foreign and private sector partners to encourage reforms, ensure corrupt officials are held accountable, and see that vulnerabilities to corruption are addressed.

The United States looks forward to continuing our collaboration with the United Kingdom and other allies to defend human rights, support good governance, and impose tangible and significant costs on those who engage in corruption.

issued press releases congratulating the U.K.

Links:

OFSI Notice

Foreign Secretary Announcement

Guatemalan designation story

Honduran designation story

US Press Releases – State, Treasury

↧

Corrupt Albanian designated under Section 7031(c)

May 19, 2021, 6:09 am

≫ Next: Not sure if this is a first, but…

≪ Previous: UK makes new Global Anti-Corruption sanctions program, adds 22 listings, and the US approves

Public Designation of Albanian Sali Berisha Due to Involvement in Significant Corruption

PRESS STATEMENT

ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE

MAY 19, 2021Share

Today, I am announcing the public designation of Sali Berisha, a former President of Albania, former Prime Minister of Albania, and former Member of Parliament of Albania, due to his involvement in significant corruption.  In his official capacity as Prime Minister of Albania in particular, Berisha was involved in corrupt acts, such as misappropriation of public funds and interfering with public processes, including using his power for his own benefit and to enrich his political allies and his family members at the expense of the Albanian public’s confidence in their government institutions and public officials. Furthermore, his own rhetoric demonstrates he is willing to protect himself, his family members, and his political allies at the expense of independent investigations, anticorruption efforts, and accountability measures. With this designation, I am reaffirming the need for accountability and transparency in Albania’s democratic institutions, government processes, and the actions of Albanian public officials.

This designation is made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021. In addition to Berisha, I am publicly designating his spouse, Liri Berisha, his son, Shkelzen Berisha, and his daughter, Argita Berisha Malltezi. These individuals are ineligible to travel to the United States.

This designation reaffirms the U.S. commitment to supporting political reforms key to Albania’s democratic institutions.  The United States continues to stand with the people of Albania.  The Department will continue to use authorities like this to promote accountability for corrupt actors in this region and globally.

For more information, please contact INL-PAPD@state.gov.

Link:

State Department Press Release

↧

Not sure if this is a first, but…

June 2, 2021, 10:18 am

≫ Next: US State Department: Section 7031(c) corruption designations for former Namibian officials

≪ Previous: Corrupt Albanian designated under Section 7031(c)

Today, the U.S. sanctioned a whole bunch of Bulgarians for corruption under both the Global Magnitsky sanctions program and under Section 7031(c) designation barring entry to the U.S.

I believe it’s the first action against a significant number of EU member state parties.

Anyhow, here’s the persons:

BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov (a.k.a. BOZHKOV, Vasil (Cyrillic: БОЖКОВ, ВАСИЛ); a.k.a. "Cherepa"; a.k.a. "The Skull"), 79 Vassil Levski Blvd, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; DOB 29 Jul 1956; POB Velingrad, Bulgaria; nationality Bulgaria; Gender Male; Passport 440210366 (Bulgaria) expires 23 Aug 2023; alt. Passport 385950465 (Bulgaria) expires 11 Apr 2024; National ID No. 647475973 (Bulgaria) (individual) [GLOMAG]. 
 
PEEVSKI, Delyan Slavchev (Cyrillic: ПЕЕВСКИ, Делян Славчев), 7 Nezabravka Street, Floor 7, Ap. 28, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria; DOB 27 Jul 1980; POB Sofia, Bulgaria; nationality Bulgaria; Gender Male; Passport 383862880 (Bulgaria) expires 11 Mar 2021 (individual) [GLOMAG]. 
 
ZHELYAZKOV, Ilko Dimitrov (a.k.a. ZHELYAZKOV, Ilko Dmitrov), Bulgaria; DOB 08 Feb 1958; nationality Bulgaria; Gender Male (individual) [GLOMAG].

and entities:

ADLER BG AD, 126, Tsar Boris III Str./blvd., R-N Krasno Selo Distr, Sofia, Stolichna 1612, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2009; Government Gazette Number 200874603 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: NOVE INTERNAL EOOD). 
 
ANCIENT HERITAGE AD (Cyrillic: АНТИЧНО НАСЛЕДСТВО - АД), 105, Tsarigradsko shose str., Slatina Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1113, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2011; V.A.T. Number BG 201673717 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: THRACE FOUNDATION). 
 
BM SYSTEMS EAD, 119 Ekzarh Yosif Str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia 1527, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2007; Registration Number 131382912 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: INTRUST PLC EAD). 
 
BUL PARTNERS TRAVEL OOD (Cyrillic: БУЛ ПАРТНЕРС ТРАВЕЛ - ООД), 4, Trapezitsa, Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 1997; V.A.T. Number BG 121211051 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
BULGARIAN SUMMER, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date Jan 2021; Organization Type: Activities of political organizations [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
BULLET TRADE OOD (a.k.a. "BULIT TRADE LTD"), 43 Moskovska Str., R-N Oborishte Distr, Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2001; Government Gazette Number 121457476 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
CARITEX LUCKY AD (a.k.a. "KARITEKS LAKI AD"), 14, Iskar str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 1998; V.A.T. Number BG 121633825 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
CSKA BASKETBALL CLUB (Cyrillic: БАСКЕТБОЛЕН КЛУБ ЦСКА) (a.k.a. PROFESIONALEN BASKETBOLEN KLUB TSSKA 48 AD; a.k.a. PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL CLUB-CSKA-48 AD), Bul. Dragan Tsankov, N3, Stadion-Tsska, Sofia 1164, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2003; V.A.T. Number BG 131083632 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: NOVE-AD-HOLDING AD). 
 
DECART OOD (a.k.a. DEKART OOD), 2A Krakra Str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1504, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2003; V.A.T. Number BG 131122494 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: VABO SYSTEMS EOOD). 
 
DIGITAL SERVICES EAD, 43 Moskovska Str., R-N Oborishte Distr, Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2003; V.A.T. Number BG 131131080 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
DOMINO GAMES OOD, 2E Prof. Petar Dzhidrov Str., R-N Studentski Distr, Sofia, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2014; V.A.T. Number BG 202884681 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: DECART OOD). 
 
EDE 2 EOOD, 43 Moskovska Str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2002; V.A.T. Number BG 130855508 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
EFBET PARTNERS OOD, 43 Moskovska Str., R-N Oborishte Distr, Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2017; Government Gazette Number 204839749 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: NOVE INTERNAL EOOD). 
 
EUROBET OOD (a.k.a. EUROBET LTD. (Cyrillic: ЕВРОБЕТ - ООД)), 48 Sitnyakovo blvd., Poduyane Distr., fl. 4, Sofia, Stolichna 1505, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 1996; V.A.T. Number BG 121179290 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: EUROBET PARTNERS OOD). 
 
EUROBET PARTNERS OOD, 43 Moskovska Str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2016; Government Gazette Number 203950885 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: DIGITAL SERVICES EAD). 
 
EUROBET TRADING EOOD, 48 Sitnyakovo blvd., Poduyane Distr., fl.4, Sofia, Stolichna 1505, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2013; V.A.T. Number BG 202647305 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: EUROBET OOD). 
 
EUROFOOTBALL OOD (Cyrillic: ЕВРОФУТБОЛ - ООД) (a.k.a. EUROFOOTBALL LTD), 126, Tsar Boris Iiiti blvd., Krasno Selo Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1612, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 1993; V.A.T. Number BG 831036657 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: EUROSADRUZHIE OOD). 
 
EUROGROUP ENGINEERING EAD (a.k.a. EUROGROUP ENGINEERING AD), 43 Moskovska Str., R-N Oborishte Distr, Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2010; Government Gazette Number 201043177 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
EUROSADRUZHIE OOD (a.k.a. EUROSADRUZHIE LTD.; a.k.a. EUROSUDRUZHIE LTD.; a.k.a. EVROSADRUZHIE OOD; a.k.a. "EUROCOMPANY LTD."), 43 Moskovska Str., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2002; V.A.T. Number BG 130855554 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: VABO SYSTEMS EOOD). 
 
EVROBET - RUMANIA EOOD (a.k.a. EUROBET - ROMANIA EOOD), 63, Blvd. Shipchenski, Prohod Slatina Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1574, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2010; Government Gazette Number 201220179 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: GAMES UNLIMITED OOD). 
 
GALENIT INVEST AD, 43 Moskovska Str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2000; Government Gazette Number 130329006 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
GAMES UNLIMITED OOD, 43 Moskovska Str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2013; Government Gazette Number 202621673 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: VB MANAGEMENT EOOD). 
 
INT INVEST EOOD, 119 Ekzarh Yosif Str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia 1527, Bulgaria; 79, Ralevitsa Str., Vitosha Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1618, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2019; V.A.T. Number BG 205535941 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: INTRUST PLC EAD). 
 
INT LTD EOOD, 119 Ul. Ekzarh Yosif Str., R-N Oborishte Distr, Sofia 1527, Bulgaria; 79, Ralevitsa Str., Vitosha Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1618, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2017; V.A.T. Number BG 204589523 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: PEEVSKI, Delyan Slavchev). 
 
INTERNEWS 98 OOD, 126, Tsar Boris III Str./blvd., R-N Krasno Selo Distr, Sofia, Stolichna 1612, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 1998; V.A.T. Number BG 121584837 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: NOVE INTERNAL EOOD). 
 
INTRUST PLC EAD (a.k.a. INTRUST EAD), 119 Ekzarh Yosif Str., R-N Oborishte Distr, Sofia 1527, Bulgaria; 79, Ralevitsa Str., Vitosha Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1618, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2017; Legal Entity Number 485100GBI2SE0KIX8T70; Registration Number 204589733 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: PEEVSKI, Delyan Slavchev). 
 
INTTRAFIK EOOD (a.k.a. INTTRAFFIC EOOD), 119 Ekzarh Yosif Str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia 1527, Bulgaria; 102, Balgaria blvd., Vitosha Distr., Apt. 59, Sofia, Stolichna 1618, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2018; V.A.T. Number BG 205244843 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: INTRUST PLC EAD). 
 
KRISTIANO GR 53 JSC AD, 43 Moskovska Str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2017; Government Gazette Number 204642716 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
LOTTERY BG OOD (a.k.a. LOTTERY BG LTD.), 43 Moskovska Str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2014; Government Gazette Number 203018962 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: VABO 2012 EOOD). 
 
LOTTERY DISTRIBUTIONS OOD (Cyrillic: ЛОТЕРИ ДИСТРИБЮШЪНС ООД) (a.k.a. LOTTERY DISTRIBUTIONS LTD), 1 Koloman Str., Krasno selo Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1618, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2004; Government Gazette Number 131251717 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: EUROSADRUZHIE OOD). 
 
MELIORA ACADEMICA EOOD (f.k.a. MELIORA AKADEMIKA), 2E Prof. P. Dzhidrov Str., Studentski Grad Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1700, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2012; V.A.T. Number BG 202052161 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: DECART OOD). 
 
ML BUILD EAD (a.k.a. ML BILD EAD), 2A Krakra Str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1527, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2008; V.A.T. Number BG 200108841 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: DECART OOD). 
 
MOSTSTROY IZTOK AD (a.k.a. MOSTSTROY EAST AD), 3 Moskovska Str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2009; Government Gazette Number 200112909 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
NATIONAL LOTTERY AD (Cyrillic: НАЦИОНАЛНА ЛОТАРИЯ АД) (a.k.a. NATIONAL LOTTARY), 43 Moskovska Str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2013; V.A.T. Number BG 204061981 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: NOVE DEVELOPMENT EOOD). 
 
NATIONAL LOTTERY OOD (a.k.a. NATIONAL LOTTERIES LTD.), 1 Koloman Str., Krasno selo Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1618, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2004; Government Gazette Number 131251674 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: EUROSADRUZHIE OOD). 
 
NOVE DEVELOPMENT EOOD, 43 Moskovska Str., R-N Oborishte Distr, Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2010; Government Gazette Number 201275656 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: NOVE INTERNAL EOOD). 
 
NOVE INTERNAL EOOD, 43 Moskovska Str., R-N Oborishte Distr, Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2007; V.A.T. Number BG 175382860 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
NOVE PARTNERS OOD, 43 Moskovska Str., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2007; Government Gazette Number 175392527 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: NOVE INTERNAL EOOD). 
 
NOVE-AD-HOLDING AD (Cyrillic: НОВЕ-АД-ХОЛДИНГ - АД), 43 Moskovsa, Oborishte Distr., Sofia 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 1991; V.A.T. Number BG 121024920 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
NUMERICAL GAMES OOD (a.k.a. NUMERICAL GAMES LTD.), 1 Koloman Str., Sofia, Stolichna 1618, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2004; Government Gazette Number 131252477 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: EUROSADRUZHIE OOD). 
 
OLD GAMES EOOD, 14 Iskar Str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2010; Government Gazette Number 201084124 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: GAMES UNLIMITED OOD). 
 
PARKSTROY-SOFIA OOD (Cyrillic: ПАРКСТРОЙ-СОФИЯ - ООД), Nadezhda 1 Distr., Bl. No 150, apt. 131, Sofia, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2002; V.A.T. Number BG 130939917 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: NOVE-AD-HOLDING AD). 
 
PRIM BG EAD, 126 Bul.Tsar Boris III Blvd., R-N Krasno Selo Distr, Sofia, Stolichna 1612, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2010; V.A.T. Number BG 201045769 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
PROPERTY-VB OOD, 43 Moskovska Str., R-N Oborishte Distr, Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2006; Government Gazette Number 120598193 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: NOVE INTERNAL EOOD). 
 
PUBLISHING HOUSE SPORT LTD (a.k.a. "PUBLISHUNG HOUSE SPORT OOD"), sektor V Natsionalen Stadion V. Levski, Distr. Sredets Distr, Sofia, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 1993; Government Gazette Number 831134806 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: NOVE-AD-HOLDING AD). 
 
REAL ESTATES INT LTD EOOD, 119 Ul. Ekzarh Yosif Str., R-N Oborishte Distr., Sofia 1527, Bulgaria; 79, Ralevitsa Str., Vitosha Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1618, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2018; V.A.T. Number BG 204930572 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: INTRUST PLC EAD). 
 
REX LOTO AD (a.k.a. REX LOTTO AD), 8 Silistra, Oborishte Distr., Sofia 1504, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2006; Government Gazette Number 175010714 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: VABO-2005 EOOD). 
 
SIGURO EOOD, 43 Moskovska Str., R-N Oborishte Distr, Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2005; Government Gazette Number 131567042 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: EUROGROUP ENGINEERING EAD). 
 
SIZIF V OOD, Nadezhda 1 Distr., Sofia, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 1996; V.A.T. Number BG 121136410 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
THRACE FOUNDATION, 43 Moskovska Str., R-N Oborishte Distr, Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2004; Government Gazette Number 131258494 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
TRAKIA-PAPIR 96 OOD (a.k.a. "TRAKIA-PAPER 96 OOD"), 9 Iskar, Oborishte Distr, Sofia, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 1996; Government Gazette Number 121220666 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: NOVE-AD-HOLDING AD). 
 
TRANS NOVE OOD, 43 Moskovska Str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2007; V.A.T. Number BG 175433597 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: NOVE INTERNAL EOOD). 
 
VA BO COMPANY EOOD (a.k.a. VA BO KAMPANI EOOD), 43 Moskovska Str., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2012; Government Gazette Number 202066022 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
VABO 2008 EOOD, 43 Moskovska, Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2008; Government Gazette Number 200481087 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
VABO 2012 EOOD (a.k.a. VABO 2012), 43 Moskovska Str., Oborishte Distr., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2012; V.A.T. Number BG 201884835 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
VABO 2017 OOD (a.k.a. VABO 2017 LTD.), 43 Moskovska Str., R-N Oborishte Distr, Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2017; V.A.T. Number BG 204811027 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: VABO 2012 EOOD). 
 
VABO INTERNAL AD, 43 Moskovska Str., R-N Oborishte Distr, Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2017; Government Gazette Number 204682034 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
VABO MANAGEMENT EOOD, 43 Moskovska Str., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2012; Government Gazette Number 201884908 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
VABO SYSTEMS EOOD, 43 Moskovska Str., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2008; V.A.T. Number BG 200431052 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: NOVE INTERNAL EOOD). 
 
VABO-2005 EOOD (a.k.a. VABO 2005 EOOD), 43 Moskovska, Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2005; V.A.T. Number BG 131502906 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
VATO 2002 EOOD, 43 Moskovska Str., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2002; Government Gazette Number 130839906 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: NOVE INTERNAL EOOD). 
 
VB MANAGEMENT EOOD, 43 Moskovska Str., Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2012; Government Gazette Number 202080417 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
VERTEX PROPERTIES EOOD (a.k.a. VERTEX IMOTI EOOD), 126 Tsar Boris III Str./blvd., R-N Krasno Selo Distr, Sofia, Stolichna 1612, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2007; Government Gazette Number 175387373 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: BOJKOV, Vassil Kroumov). 
 
VIHROGONIKA AD, 43 Moskovska Str., R-N Oborishte Distr, Sofia, Stolichna 1000, Bulgaria; Organization Established Date 2016; Government Gazette Number 203892599 (Bulgaria) [GLOMAG] (Linked To: VABO MANAGEMENT EOOD).

sanctioned by OFAC.

And this is Treasury’s press release on the matter:

PRESS RELEASES

Treasury Sanctions Influential Bulgarian Individuals and Their Expansive Networks for Engaging in Corruption

June 2, 2021

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned three Bulgarian individuals for their extensive roles in corruption in Bulgaria, as well as their networks encompassing 64 entities. The Administration believes corruption degrades the rule of law, weakens economies and economic growth, undermines democratic institutions, perpetuates conflict, and deprives innocent civilians of fundamental human rights, and today’s action — the single largest action targeting corruption to date — demonstrates the Department of the Treasury’s ongoing effort to hold accountable those involved in corruption. The U.S. government will continue to impose tangible and significant consequences on those who engage in corruption and work to protect the global financial system from abuse.

“The United States stands with all Bulgarians who strive to root out corruption by promoting accountability for corrupt officials who undermine the economic functions and democratic institutions of Bulgaria,” said Office of Foreign Assets Control Director Andrea M. Gacki. “Not only does corruption deprive citizens of resources, it can erode the institutions intended to protect them. This designation under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program shows that we are committed to combatting corruption wherever it may be.”

This action targets Vassil Kroumov Bojkov, a prominent Bulgarian businessman and oligarch; Delyan Slavchev Peevski, a former Member of Parliament; Ilko Dimitrov Zhelyazkov, the former Deputy Chief of the Bulgarian State Agency for Technical Operations who was appointed to the National Bureau for Control on Special Intelligence-Gathering Devices; and the companies owned or controlled by the respective individuals. These individuals and entities are designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption around the world. These sanctions coincide with complementary actions taken by the U.S. Department of State to publicly designate Peevski and Zhelyazkov, among others, under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act due to their involvement in significant corruption.

U.S. COMMITMENT TO TARGETING CORRUPTION

Today’s designations constitute the largest Global Magnitsky action taken on a single day in the history of the program, targeting over 65 individuals and entities for their significant acts of corruption in Bulgaria.

The corrupt activities undertaken by the individuals designated today demonstrate how pervasive corruption goes hand-in-hand with other illicit activity. The breadth of today’s action shows that the United States will support the rule of law and impose costs on public officials and those connected to them who use government institutions for personal profit. Today’s designation exposes Bojkov, Peevski, and Zhelyazkov for abusing public institutions for profit and cuts off these individuals’ and their companies’ access to the U.S. financial system. To further protect the international financial system from abuse by corrupt actors, Treasury encourages all governments to implement appropriate and effective anti-money laundering measures to address corruption vulnerabilities.

These actions send a strong signal that the United States stands with all Bulgarians who strive to root out corruption. We are committed to helping our partners realize their full economic and democratic potential by tackling systemic corruption and holding corrupt officials accountable. Treasury remains committed to working with Bulgaria to address money laundering reforms that lead to financial transparency and accountability. We call upon regulators to communicate the risks of doing business with these corrupt officials and their companies.

VASSIL KROUMOV BOJKOV AND HIS NETWORK

Vassil Kroumov Bojkov (Bojkov), a Bulgarian businessman and oligarch, has bribed government officials on several occasions. These officials include a current political leader and the former Chairman of the now-abolished State Commission on Gambling (SCG). Bojkov also planned to provide a sum of money to a former Bulgarian official and a Bulgarian politician earlier this year to help Bojkov create a channel for Russian political leaders to influence Bulgarian government officials.

Bojkov is currently in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he successfully evaded Bulgarian extradition on a number of charges levied in 2020, including leading an organized crime group, coercion, attempted bribery of an official, and tax evasion. In its investigation, the Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Bulgaria found that in February 2018, Bojkov paid the then-Chair of the SCG 10,000 Bulgarian Lev (approximately $6,220) on a daily basis to revoke Bojkov’s competitors’ gambling licenses. Following this massive bribery scheme, the Chair of the SCG resigned, was arrested, and the SCG was abolished. There remains an international warrant for Bojkov’s arrest as his influence continues in Bulgaria. In advance of the July 2021 Bulgarian parliamentary elections, Bojkov registered a political party that will run candidates in the aforementioned elections to target Bulgarian politicians and officials.

Bojkov is designated pursuant to E.O. 13818 for being a person who has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of corruption, including the misappropriation of state assets, the expropriation of private assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts or the extraction of natural resources, or bribery.

OFAC is also designating 58 entities, including Bulgarian Summer, registered in Bulgaria that are owned or controlled by Bojkov or one of his companies:

Vabo-2005 EOOD, Digital Services EAD, Ede 2 EOOD, Nove Internal EOOD,Moststroy Iztok AD, Galenit Invest AD, Vabo 2008 EOOD, Vertex Properties EOOD, VB Management EOOD, Va Bo Company EOOD, Vabo Management EOOD, Vabo 2012 EOOD, Prim BG EAD, Eurogroup Engineering EAD, Kristiano GR 53 JSC AD, Nove-AD-Holding AD, Bul Partners Travel OOD, Bullet Trade OOD, Caritex Lucky AD, Sizif V OOD, Thrace Foundation, Vabo Internal AD, and Bulgarian Summer are owned or controlled by Bojkov.
Rex Loto AD is owned or controlled by Vabo-2005 EOOD.
Eurobet Partners OOD is owned or controlled by Digital Services EAD.
Eurobet OOD is owned or controlled by Eurobet Partners OOD.
Eurobet Trading EOOD is owned or controlled by Eurobet OOD.
Vabo Systems EOOD, Vato 2002 EOOD, Nove Development EOOD, Property-VB OOD, Trans Nove OOD, Nove Partners OOD, Adler BG AD, Efbet Partners OOD, and Internews 98 OOD are owned or controlled by Nove Internal EOOD.
Eurosadruzhie OOD and Decart OOD are owned or controlled by Vabo Systems EOOD.
Numerical Games OOD, Lottery Distributions OOD, National Lottery OOD, and Eurofootball OOD are owned or controlled by Eurosadruzhie OOD.
National Lottery AD is owned or controlled by Nove Development EOOD.
Meliora Academica EOOD, Domino Games OOD, and ML Build EAD are owned or controlled by Decart OOD.
Games Unlimited OOD is owned or controlled by VB Management EOOD.
Evrobet – Rumania EOOD and Old Games EOOD are owned or controlled by Games Unlimited OOD.
Vihrogonika AD is owned or controlled by Vabo Management EOOD.
Vabo 2017 OOD and Lottery BG OOD are owned or controlled by Vabo 2012 EOOD.
Siguro EOOD is owned or controlled by Eurogroup Engineering EAD.
Trakia-Papir 96 OOD, Parkstroy-Sofia OOD, Publishing House Sport LTD, and CSKA Basketball Club are owned or controlled by Nove-AD-Holding AD.
Ancient Heritage AD is owned or controlled by Thrace Foundation.

DELYAN SLAVCHEV PEEVSKI AND HIS NETWORK

Delyan Slavchev Peevski (Peevski) is an oligarch who previously served as a Bulgarian MP and media mogul and has regularly engaged in corruption, using influence peddling and bribes to protect himself from public scrutiny and exert control over key institutions and sectors in Bulgarian society. In September 2019, Peevski actively worked to negatively influence the Bulgarian political process in the October 27, 2019 municipal elections. Peevski negotiated with politicians to provide them with political support and positive media coverage in return for receiving protection from criminal investigations.

Peevski also engaged in corruption through his front man Ilko Dimitrov Zhelyazkov (Zhelyazkov), the former Deputy Chief of the Bulgarian State Agency for Technical Operations and former Bulgarian State Agency for National Security (DANS) officer who was appointed to the National Bureau for Control on Special Intelligence-Gathering Devices. Peevski used Zhelyazkov to conduct a bribery scheme involving Bulgarian residency documents for foreign persons, as well as to bribe government officials through various means in exchange for their information and loyalty. For example, as of 2019, Zhelyazkov was known for offering bribes to senior Bulgarian government officials who were expected to provide information to Zhelyazkov for onward passage to Peevski. In return, Zhelyazkov would see that individuals who accepted his offer were placed in positions of authority and also provided a monthly bribe. Peevski and Zhelyazkov also had an official placed in a leadership position to embezzle funds to them in 2019. In another example, as of early 2018, these two government officials ran a scheme to sell Bulgarian residency documents where company representatives purportedly paid bribes to Bulgarian officials to ensure their clients received citizenship documents immediately rather than making the $500,000 deposit or waiting the five years for a legitimate request to be processed. Lastly, Zhelyazkov also blackmailed a potential Bulgarian government minister with criminal charges from Bulgaria’s Prosecutor General’s office if the minister did not provide him further assistance upon appointment.

Peevski and Zhelyazkov are designated pursuant to E.O. 13818 for being foreign persons who are current or former government officials, or persons acting for or on behalf of such an official, who are responsible for or complicit in, or who have directly or indirectly engaged in, corruption, including the misappropriation of state assets, the expropriation of private assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts or the extraction of natural resources, or bribery.

OFAC is also designating six entities registered in Bulgaria that are owned or controlled by Peevski or one of his companies:

Int Ltd EOOD and Intrust PLC EAD are owned or controlled by Peevski.
BM Systems EAD, Int Invest EOOD, Inttrafik EOOD, and Real Estates Int Ltd EOOD are owned or controlled by Intrust PLC EAD.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the persons above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or otherwise exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

GLOBAL MAGNITSKY

Building upon the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, E.O. 13818 was issued on December 20, 2017, in recognition that the prevalence of human rights abuse and corruption that have their source, in whole or in substantial part, outside the United States, had reached such scope and gravity as to threaten the stability of international political and economic systems. Human rights abuse and corruption undermine the values that form an essential foundation of stable, secure, and functioning societies; have devastating impacts on individuals; weaken democratic institutions; degrade the rule of law; perpetuate violent conflicts; facilitate the activities of dangerous persons; and undermine economic markets. The United States seeks to impose tangible and significant consequences on those who commit serious human rights abuse or engage in corruption, as well as to protect the financial system of the United States from abuse by these same persons.

And here is State’s press release, which includes the 7031(c) designations:

Public Designation of Five Bulgarian Public Officials Due to Involvement in Significant Corruption

PRESS STATEMENT

NED PRICE, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON

JUNE 2, 2021

Today, we are announcing the public designation of former Bulgarian public officials Alexander Manolev, Petar Haralampiev, Krasimir Tomov, and Delyan Slavchev Peevski, as well as current Bulgarian public official Ilko Dimitrov Zhelyazkov, due to their involvement in significant corruption. In their official capacities as Deputy Minister of the Economy, Director of the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, and Chief Secretary of the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, respectively, Manolev, Haralampiev, and Tomov were involved in corrupt acts that undermined the rule of law and the Bulgarian public’s faith in their government’s democratic institutions and public processes, including by using their political influence and official power for personal benefit. In his capacity as a member of parliament, Peevski used Zhelyazkov, an official in the National Bureau for Control on Special Intelligence-Gathering Devices, as an intermediary and accomplice to peddle influence and pay bribes to protect himself from public scrutiny and to exert influence over key institutions and sectors in Bulgarian society.

The Department of the Treasury also has designated Peevski, Zhelyazkov and Bulgarian oligarch Vassil Bojkov, along with 64 entities owned and controlled by Bojkov and Peevski, for their roles in public corruption, pursuant to Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.

These designations are made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021. In addition to Manolev, Haralampiev, Tomov, Zhelyazkov, and Peevski, we are publicly designating Manolev’s wife, Nadya Manoleva, and his children, Alexa, Joanna, and Dimitar; Haralampiev’s wife and son, Veselka Haralampieva and Pavel Haralampiev; Peevski’s minor son and daughter; and Zhelyazkov’s daughters Vania Ilkova Zhelyazkova and Roza Ilkova Zhelyazkova. This action renders Manolev, Haralampiev, Tomov, Zhelyazkov, and Peevski, and each of their immediate families, ineligible for entry into the United States.

Today’s actions reaffirm our commitment to supporting rule of law and strengthening democratic institutions in Bulgaria. The United States stands with all Bulgarians whose work drives reforms forward, and the Department will continue to use its authorities to promote accountability for corrupt actors in the region and globally.

Also, so it’s clear, one of the OFAC-sanctioned persons was not designated by State (apparently not a current or former official), and 3 of the persons designated by State were not sanctioned by OFAC.

Links:

OFAC Notice

Press Releases: Treasury, State

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US State Department: Section 7031(c) corruption designations for former Namibian officials

June 15, 2021, 6:46 am

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Public Designation of Former Namibian Public Officials for Involvement in Significant Corruption

PRESS STATEMENT

OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON

JUNE 15, 2021Share

We are announcing today the public designation of former Namibian government officials Bernhardt Esau and Sakeus Shanghala, due to their involvement in significant corruption.  In their official capacities as Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources (Esau) and Minister of Justice (Shanghala), they were involved in corrupt acts that undermined rule of law and the Namibian public’s faith in their government’s democratic institutions and public processes, including by using their political influence and official power for their personal benefit.

This designation is made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021.  This action renders Esau and Sanghala ineligible for entry into the United States.

The authority also requires the designation of a principal’s immediate family members. Accordingly, in addition to Esau and Shanghala, we are publicly designating the following members of Bernhardt Esau’s family, who are now also ineligible for entry into the United States: his wife, Swamma Esau, and his son, Philippus Esau.

This designation reaffirms the U.S. commitment to supporting anticorruption reforms that are key to Namibia’s successful future.  The United States continues to stand with all Namibians in support of democracy and the rule of law, and against those who would undermine these principles for personal gain.  The Department will continue to use authorities like this to promote accountability for corrupt actors in this region and globally.

For more information, please contactINL-PAPD@state.gov.

Link:

State Department Press Release

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US State Department: 7031(c) corruption designation for Guatemalan Congressperson

June 17, 2021, 10:34 am

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Designation of Republic of Guatemala Congressperson Boris España Cáceres Due to Involvement in Significant Corruption

PRESS STATEMENT

NED PRICE, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON

JUNE 17, 2021Share

Today, we are announcing the public designation of Guatemalan Congressperson Boris España Cáceres, due to his involvement in significant corruption. In his official capacity, España has been involved in corrupt acts, including bribery and interfering with public processes, that jeopardized the stability of Guatemala’s democratic institutions and the Guatemalan public’s confidence in its representatives. Furthermore, España remains in office despite widespread awareness of his involvement in significant corruption, which reflects a history of impunity in the Republic of Guatemala’s government institutions.

This designation is made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021. Under this authority, once the Secretary of State designates officials of foreign governments for their involvement, directly or indirectly, in significant corruption, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States. In addition to España, the Department is publicly designating the following members of España’s immediate family: his spouse, Liliana Maria Umaña Lemus de España; his daughter, Karol Andrea España Umaña; and his minor child.

This designation reaffirms U.S. commitment to combatting the corruption and impunity that plagues Guatemala and other nations in the region. The Department will use all available tools to promote accountability for corrupt actors in this region and globally.

For more information, please contact INL-PAPD@state.gov.

Link:

State Department Press Release

↧

State Department releases list of corrupt and undemocratic Central American persons

July 1, 2021, 11:36 am

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U.S. Releases Section 353 List of Corrupt and Undemocratic Actors for Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador

PRESS STATEMENT

ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE

JULY 1, 2021Share

The United States is committed to improving social, economic, and political conditions in Central America because U.S. security and prosperity is tied to the success of our regional partners. Actions that undermine the rule of law and democracy in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, and their repercussions on the lives of people in these countries, contribute to irregular migration and destabilize entire societies. As stated in the recent U.S. Presidential Decree Establishing the Fight Against Corruption as a Core U.S. National Security Interest: “Corruption corrodes public trust; hobbles effective governance; distorts markets and equitable access to services; undercuts development efforts; contributes to national fragility, extremism, and migration; and provides authoritarian leaders a means to undermine democracies worldwide. When leaders steal from their nations’ citizens or oligarchs flout the rule of law, economic growth slows, inequality widens, and trust in government plummets.”

The citizens of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador have consistently repudiated corruption, demanded accountability on the part of their governments and private actors in their countries, and acted in defense of democratic institutions. The United States stands with those citizens, organizations, and public servants who are committed to promoting the public good and generating hope and opportunity for the people of the region, even in the face of setbacks to the rule of law and efforts to combat impunity.

In the context of this support, the U.S. Government is issuing a public list, consistent with section 353 of the United States–Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act, of individuals who have knowingly engaged in acts that undermine democratic processes or institutions, engaged in significant corruption, or obstructed investigations into such acts of corruption in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Section 353 generally requires that individuals listed in this report are ineligible for visas and admission to the United States.

We will continue partnering with government officials who show a dedication to combating corruption and strengthening democratic governance, including as part of an overall policy of addressing the root causes of irregular migration. Our objective with these designations is to support the people of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador in their efforts to form a democratic, prosperous, and safe region where people can contribute to and benefit from the democratic process, have confidence in public institutions, reduce inequality, and enjoy opportunities to create the futures they desire for themselves and their families.

The full report is available here: https://www.state.gov/reports/353-corrupt-and-undemocratic-actors-report/

The report lists 14 El Salvadorans, 20 Guatemalans, and 21 Hondurans, along with their official positions, and a summary of why they were included in the report.

Links:

State Department Press Release

Section 353 Report

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El Salvadorans in Section 353 Report

July 1, 2021, 11:38 am

≫ Next: Guatemalans in Section 353 Report

≪ Previous: State Department releases list of corrupt and undemocratic Central American persons

Walter René Araujo Morales, former member and president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, undermined democratic processes or institutions by calling for insurrection against the Legislative Assembly and repeatedly threatening political candidates.

Pablo Salvador Anliker Infante, former Minister of Agriculture, engaged in significant corruption by misappropriating public funds for his personal benefit.

Conan Tonathiu Castro Ramírez, current Legal Advisor to the President, undermined democratic processes or institutions by assisting in the inappropriate removal of five Supreme Court Magistrates and the Attorney General.

Óscar Rolando Castro, Minister of Labor, obstructed investigations into corruption and undermined democratic processes or institutions in efforts to damage his political opponents.

Osiris Luna Meza, Vice Minister of Security and Director of Prisons, has engaged in significant corruption related to government contracts and bribery during his term in office.

José Luis Merino, former Vice Minister for Foreign Investment and Development Financing, engaged in significant corruption during his term in office through bribery. He also participated in a money laundering scheme.

Ezequiel Milla Guerra, former mayor of La Union, engaged in significant corruption by abusing his authority as mayor in the sale of Perico Island to agents of the People’s Republic of China in exchange for personal benefit.

José Aquiles Enrique Rais López engaged in significant corruption and undermined democratic processes or institutions by bribing public officials.

Martha Carolina Recinos de Bernal, current Chief of Cabinet, engaged in significant corruption by misusing public funds for personal benefit. She also participated in a significant money laundering scheme.

Carlos Armando Reyes Ramos, current member of the Legislative Assembly, obstructed investigations into corruption by inappropriately influencing the Supreme Court Magistrate selection process.

Othon Sigfrido Reyes Morales, former legislator from the FMLN party of El Salvador, engaged in significant corruption during his term in office through fraud and misuse of public funds.

Rogelio Eduardo Rivas Polanco, former Minister of Security and Justice, engaged in significant corruption by misappropriating public funds for personal benefit.

Adolfo Salume Artinano, engaged in significant corruption and undermined democratic processes and institutions by bribing a Supreme Court Magistrate to avoid paying a fine.

Luis Guillermo Wellman Carpio, current Magistrate of Supreme Electoral Tribunal, undermined democratic processes or institutions by causing serious and unnecessary delays in election preparations and results tabulation for his personal benefit and allowing Chinese malign influence during the Salvadoran elections.

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Guatemalans in Section 353 Report

July 1, 2021, 11:39 am

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Gustavo Adolfo Alejos Cambara, former Guatemalan Presidential Chief of Staff, engaged in significant corruption by facilitating payments to congressional representatives and judges on Guatemala’s Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) in order to inappropriately influence the judicial selection process for magistrates to the CSJ and Court of Appeals and secure his future release from prison and the dismissal of corruption charges. He is designated under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program and Section 7031(c) for involvement in significant corruption.

Felipe Alejos Lorenzana, former first secretary of the Guatemalan Congress, has engaged in significant corruption. While acting in his official capacity, Mr. Alejos was involved in corrupt acts to enrich himself, while also seriously harming U.S. businesses’ international economic activity. He is designated under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program and Section 7031(c) for involvement in significant corruption.

Delia Bac Alvarado, former congressional representative, engaged in significant corruption through her misuse of public funds for personal benefit. She is designated under Section 7031(c) for involvement in significant corruption.

Florencio Carrascoza Gamez, current mayor of Joyabaj, undermined democratic processes or institutions by intimidating and unjustly imprisoning political opponents.

Alvaro Colom Caballeros, former president, engaged in significant corruption when he participated in fraud and embezzlement involving a new bus system in Guatemala City known as Transurbano.

Manuel Duarte Barrera, currently on the Supreme Court, has undermined democratic processes or institutions by abusing his authority to inappropriately influence and manipulate the appointment of judges to high court positions.

Boris Roberto Espana Caceres, current congressional representative in the Guatemalan Congress, engaged in significant corruption when he participated in influence peddling and bribery.

Mario Amilcar Estrada Orellana, former congressional representative, engaged in significant corruption and was sentenced by U.S. courts for seeking millions from Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel to finance political campaigns.

Raul Amilcar Falla Ovalle, a lawyer for the NGO Fundacion Contra el Terrorismo (Foundation Against Terrorism – FCT), attempted to delay or obstruct criminal proceedings against former military officials who had committed acts of violence, harassment, or intimidation against governmental and nongovernmental corruption investigators.

Moises Eduardo Galindo Ruiz, an attorney with the NGO FCT, attempted to delay or obstruct criminal proceedings against former military officials who had committed acts of violence, harassment, or intimidation against governmental and nongovernmental corruption investigators, as well as the work of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity (FECI).

Juan Carlos Godinez Rodriguez, lawyer and former member of a congressional commission in charge of selecting Supreme Court magistrates, undermined democratic processes or institutions by abusing his authority to inappropriately influence and manipulate the appointment of judges to high court positions.

Gustavo Adolfo Herrera Castillo, political operative and businessman, undermined democratic processes or institutions by abusing his authority to inappropriately influence and manipulate the appointment of judges to high court positions.

Ricardo Rafael Mendez Ruiz Valdez, the founder and legal representative of the NGO FCT, attempted to delay or obstruct criminal proceedings against former military officials who had committed acts of violence, harassment, or intimidation against governmental and nongovernmental corruption investigators.

Mynor Mauricio Moto Morataya, selected in January 2021 to fill a vacant seat on the country’s Constitutional Court, undermined processes or institutions and engaged in significant corruption when he obstructed justice and received bribes in return for a favorable legal decision.

Alejandro Jorge Sinbaldi Aparicio, former Minister of Communications, Infrastructure, and Housing, engaged in significant corruption when he participated in bribery and illegal electoral financing, and the laundering of the proceeds of corruption for personal gain. He is designated under Section 7031(c) for involvement in significant corruption.

Guillermo Estuardo de Jesus Sosa Rodriguez, former Vice Minister of Communications, engaged in significant corruption when he participated in bribery schemes, including involvement in a criminal structure that pressured, collected, and deposited bribes from state contractors in exchange for personal benefits.

Blanca Aida Stalling Davila, former Supreme Court Justice, engaged in significant corruption by participating in bribery schemes and inappropriately influencing the judicial branch. She is designated under Section 7031(c) for involvement in significant corruption.

Elder de Jesús Súchite Vargas, former Minister of Culture, engaged in significant corruption related to government contracts and influence peddling for personal gain.

Jorge Estuardo Vargas Morales, current congressional representative, engaged in significant corruption and undermined democratic processes or institutions when he engaged in bribery, coercion, and influence peddling.

Nester Mauricio Vasquez Pimentel, currently on the Supreme Court, has undermined democratic processes or institutions by abusing his authority to inappropriately influence and manipulate the appointment of judges to high court positions.

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Hondurans in Section 353 Report

July 1, 2021, 11:40 am

≫ Next: Former Honduran head of state & First Lady designated under section 7031(c)

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Gustavo Alberto Perez, current congressional representative, has engaged in significant corruption. He was indicted in the Arca Abierta MACCIH-investigated corruption case for embezzling $800,000 from various government agencies.

Marco Antonio Bogran Corrales, former director of INVEST-H, engaged in significant corruption by misappropriating public funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rosa Elena Bonilla de Lobo, former first lady, engaged in significant corruption through fraud and misappropriation of public funds.

Augusto Domingo Cruz Asensio, former member of congress, engaged in significant corruption by misappropriating funds from the public Generacion employment program to personal accounts.

Jose Celin Discua Elvir, current congressional representative, engaged in significant corruption when he misappropriated funds from the Secretariat of Agriculture to political campaigns.

Rodolfo Irias Navas, current congressional representative, engaged in significant corruption when he misappropriated funds from the Secretariat of Agriculture to political campaigns.

Eleazar Alexander Juarez Sarabia, former member of congress, engaged in significant corruption by misappropriating funds from a public pest control program in his home department of Valle to his personal accounts.

Jose Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo Sosa, former president of Honduras, engaged in significant corruption while president when he accepted bribes from the narco-trafficking organization Los Cachiros in exchange for political favors.

Gladys Aurora Lopez, member of the Honduran National Congress Executive Board, engaged in significant corruption.  He was indicted in the Arca Abierta MACCIH-investigated corruption case for embezzling $800,000 from various government agencies.

Miguel Edgardo Martinez Pineda, current congressional representative engaged in significant corruption. He was indicted in the Pandora MACCIH corruption case in June 2018 for misappropriating $12.5 million in public funds from the Secretariat of Agriculture to political campaigns for personal gain.

Sara Ismela Medina Galo, member of congress, obstructed investigations into corruption in her role as Secretary of Congress.

Oscar Najera, current congressional representative, engaged in significant corruption related to the Cachiros narcotrafficking organization. He was designated under Section 7031(c) for involvement in significant corruption.

Hector Enrique Padilla Hernandez, former member of congress, engaged in significant corruption by misappropriating funds from the publicly funded Limpieza de Solares y Calles development project in his home department of Choluteca to his personal accounts.

Milton Jesus Puerto Oseguera, current congressional representative, engaged in significant corruption. He was indicted in the Arca Abierta MACCIH-investigated corruption case for embezzling $800,000 from various government agencies.

Audelia Rodriguez Rodrigo, current member of congress, engaged in significant corruption by misappropriating funds from the publicly funded Limpieza de Solares y Calles development project to her personal accounts.

Dennys Antonio Sanchez Fernandez, current member of congress, engaged in significant corruption by misappropriating funds from a public pest control program in his home department of Santa Barbara to his personal accounts.

Elvin Ernesto Santos Ordonez, current congressional representative, engaged in significant corruption when he misappropriated funds from the Secretariat of Agriculture to political campaigns.

Juan Carlos Valenzuela Molina, current congressional representative. He was indicted in the Arca Abierta MACCIH-investigated corruption case for embezzling $800,000 from various government agencies.

Elden Vasquez, current congressional representative, engaged in significant corruption through the misappropriation of $12.5 million from the Secretariat of Agriculture to political campaigns for his personal gain. He was indicted in the Pandora MACCIH-investigated corruption case in June 2018.

Welsy Milena Vasquez Lopez, current congressional representative, engaged in significant corruption including embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds for personal gain. He was indicted in the Arca Abierta MACCIH-investigated corruption case for embezzling $800,000 from various government agencies.

Roman Villeda Aguilar, member of congress, obstructed investigations into corruption, which resulted in the dismissal of an embezzlement case against several congressman who were under investigation for redirecting money to a fake NGO.

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