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Riggs, Pinochet and the CIA

This is a scandal more journalists should be covering. It involves the Riggs Bank, money laundering charges, a $25 million fine imposed by Congress, and suspicious cash withdrawals by Pinochet. There's also the bank's relationships with Saudi ambassador Prince Bandar, and Federico Obiang, of Equatorial Guinea. And the bank's relationship with the C.I.A.

The Public Accountability Initiative, which researches fraudulent relationships between business and government, has been covering the story. It advises:

The CIA link raises important questions about national security, foreign policy, the culpability of high-level Riggs execs, government officials, etc, but none of these angles will be explored if media coverage continues to be so poor. The congressional investigation cut a lot of corners—they even decided not to touch the Saudi aspect of the story until a later date (probably never). That money (out of the Bandar account) allegedly went to 9/11 hijackers. The Saudi angle is a bit of a hook, what with all the recent public interest in the Bush-House of Saud relationship following the release of Farenheit 9-11.

Public Accountability's report (pdf) concerned one inside director, Carter Beese, who had CIA and Bush connections (he has held some major Bush appointments, and is a cose friend of the family). His name has never been reported in the press, though he was supposed to oversee compliance with anti-money laundering laws. ... Riggs also has connections to the Bush family through its owner, Joe Allbritton, and Jonathan Bush, head of a subsidiary.

Slate ran this piece. Poorman had a detailed summary. Where's everyone else?

Update: < After 44 Years, Wilbert Rideau Freed From Jail | Alberto Gonzales: Vote Could Come This Week >

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  • Re: Riggs, Pinochet and the CIA (none / 0) (#1)
    by Andreas on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 10:22:45 AM EST
    The WSWS has published a report on the Riggs Bank scandal in August 2004: Bank with close ties to Bush administration engulfed in scandal By Joseph Kay, 24 August 2004

    Re: Riggs, Pinochet and the CIA (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 06:21:38 AM EST
    You connect the dots, Kimo Sabe.

    Re: Riggs, Pinochet and the CIA (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 10:14:23 AM EST
    I´ve had about thirty posts on the subject dating back to July of last year under the category titled Pinochet and Corruption. You just haven´t been looking in the right place, Jeralyn. I´ve been all over it.