Ex-Director of U.S. Defense Contractor Pleads Guilty to Selling Trade Secrets
A former director at Trenchant, an L3Harris Technologies subsidiary that develops offensive cyber tools, pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing and reselling trade secrets worth $35 million to a Russian broker whose clients include the Russian government, Bloomberg reported.
Colombia says ELN Laundered $225 Million through Front Companies
Colombia’s Prosecutor General’s Office accused the National Liberation Army (ELN) of running a two-decade money-laundering network that washed more than $225 million (COP 885 billion) in illicit proceeds through a web of shell and front companies across the country, according to a statement cited by Colombia Reports.
U.S. Lifts Sanctions on Bosnia’s Milorad Dodik after Lobbying by Trump Allies
The Trump administration has lifted U.S. sanctions on Milorad Dodik, the powerful Serbian nationalist who led Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina until earlier this month, following an intensive lobbying effort by figures close to former President Donald Trump.
After Years of Compliance Curbs, JPMorgan to Resume Dollar-Clearing in Angola
JPMorgan Chase will provide U.S.-dollar clearing services in Angola, becoming the first major American lender to reengage with the African nation following major corruption scandals and years of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance restrictions, Bloomberg reported.
Growing Mafia Power Puts Belgium at Risk of Becoming ‘Narco-State’: Judge
Belgium is in danger of evolving into a “narco-state” as organized crime penetrates key institutions and exploits Antwerp’s giant port to smuggle cocaine into Europe, an investigating judge warned in an open letter cited by the Financial Times.
Lego Products Still Reach Russia via Europe Despite Company Exit
Lego toys manufactured in the Czech Republic continue to enter Russia through European trading companies more than two years after the Danish group halted direct sales, according to customs data cited in a new investigation by the Czech outlet Page Not Found and reporting by the Kyiv Independent.
HSBC Sets Aside $1.1 Billion for Madoff Litigation
HSBC Holdings Plc will take a $1.1 billion provision in its third-quarter results to cover potential liabilities tied to investor lawsuits linked to Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, Bloomberg reported.
Westpac Hit with A$20-Million Fine over Home‑Loan Violations
Australia’s Federal Court has ordered Westpac’s mortgage brand RAMS Financial Group to pay A$20 million (about US$13 million) after finding widespread breaches in the way it arranged home loans, including approvals supported by falsified pay slips, Reuters said.
EU Lawmakers Urge Tougher Global Crackdown on Wildlife Trafficking
European lawmakers will push for wildlife trafficking to be recognized as organized crime by 2030 and for tougher global enforcement at next month’s United Nations meeting on endangered species, Euronews reported.
U.S. Sanctions Colombia’s President, Alleging Aid to Drug Traffickers
The U.S. Treasury Department designated Colombian President Gustavo Petro and several of his family members and associates, alleging his policies have fueled record cocaine production and benefited narco-traffickers.