Former Mongolian Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold is accused of diverting money from profitable mining deals and using it to buy luxury properties in New York City. The United States has filed a complaint to seize two apartments worth $14 million, alleging they were purchased with proceeds from corrupt Mongolian mining contracts orchestrated by Batbold and his family.
The complaint, announced by US Attorney Breon Peace and officials from the Department of Justice and FBI, states that Batbold abused his power to profit from Mongolia’s natural resources. It claims that millions of dollars from mining contracts were funneled through shell companies and used for personal expenses, including buying the New York apartments for Batbold’s family.
The government asserts that Batbold’s family used shell companies to launder money from state-owned mining contracts for their benefit, mirroring the scheme used to acquire the New York properties. The case is being handled by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and involves coordination with various agencies to investigate and prosecute money laundering activities.
It’s important to note that a civil forfeiture complaint is an allegation until proven in court.
By FCCT Editorial Team