Trial Begins in France for Alleged ‘Magnitsky Affair’ Money Launderer
The trial of Russian businessman Dmitry Klyuev, accused by French prosecutors of laundering proceeds of the $230 million Magnitsky Affair fraud through luxury purchases in France, opened in Paris on Monday.
FTC Tells Payment Processors that ‘Debanking’ Could Lead to Penalties
The Federal Trade Commission has warned four of the largest payment processors against denying customers access to financial services because of their political or religious views.
U.S. Senators Want to Blacklist Hungarian Officials Holding Up Ukraine Aid
A bipartisan pair of U.S. senators is set to introduce legislation that would seek sanctions on senior Hungarian officials involved in blocking aid to Ukraine and maintaining the country’s reliance on Russian energy.
South Africa’s Top Cop Arrested for Alleged Role in Health-Services Fraud
South Africa’s national police commissioner, Fannie Masemola, has been charged in a widening corruption investigation linked to the award of a 360 million rand ($21 million) police health-services contract to a businessman already under scrutiny for tender fraud.
How a Tiny Zurich Bank Became a Nexus for Risky Transactions
It was a tiny Swiss bank, headquartered in an open-plan office close to Lake Zurich and little known abroad. But MBaer Merchant Bank AG would sometimes charge clients 10 times the normal rate to process payments.
UK Bans Crypto Donations in Effort to Stem Foreign Influence
Britain’s government will cap political donations from British citizens living overseas at £100,000 a year and temporarily ban cryptocurrency donations under emergency election law changes aimed at countering foreign interference.
Italian MEP Denies Huawei Bribe Allegations
An Italian member of the European Parliament denied taking bribes from Huawei as lawmakers weigh whether to strip him of parliamentary immunity in a Belgian corruption investigation.
Edmond de Rothschild Bank’s Paris Office Searched in Epstein Probe
French financial prosecutors searched the Paris offices of private bank Edmond de Rothschild last week as part of an investigation into suspected bribery involving former employee and diplomat Fabrice Aidan, in a case linked to documents from the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Iran-Backed Hackers Wipe Data of More Than 50 Israeli Firms, Target Cameras
Iran-linked hackers have stepped up cyberattacks on Israel in recent weeks, wiping data at more than 50 small businesses and compromising about 50 public security cameras, Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing Israel’s top civilian cyber official.
Iran’s Blacklisted Supreme Leader Appears to Be Paying for Premium X Account
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has obtained a blue check mark on his official English-language X account, despite the social-media platform’s policy barring sanctioned individuals from purchasing its premium subscription service, CNBC reported.