Bank of America

Italy: Parmalat SpA et al

March 15, 2004

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Italy into Calisto Tanzi, Fausto Tonna, Luciano Del Soldato, Maurizio Bianchi, Lorenzo Penca, Claudio Pessina, Gianfranco Bocchi, Gian Paolo Zini, Giovanni Bonici, Stefano Tanzi, Franco Gorreri, Domenico Barilli, Giovanni Tanzi, Paola Visconti, Francesco Giufreddi, Luciano Silingardi, Fabio Branchi, Angelo Ugolotti, Donatella Alinovi, Claudio Baratta and Alberto Maurizio Ferraris for alleged bankruptcy fraud and related crimes regarding Parmalat SpA.

Weather coverage litigation settled in New York

February 29, 2004

A lawsuit involving Bank of America, Platinum Indemnity Ltd., Diamond State Insurance Company and PartnerRe has been concluded. How it was settled, however, is not public knowledge since several documents concerning the case were filed under seal at the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Ansbacher asserts superior claim over $32 m judgment debtor

February 29, 2004

Ansbacher (Bahamas) Ltd. is seeking to prevent a United States bank from partially collecting on a $32 million judgment against an airline based in El Salvador, which is a mutual client. Ansbacher alleges it has a superior claim to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest over $228,993 held in accounts belonging to TACA International Airlines S.A. at the Bank of America, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Portugal: Marcelo Reginaldo

February 27, 2004

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Portugal into Marcelo Reginaldo, Fernando Tadeu Reginaldo, Sandro Jose Reginaldo, Manuel Francisco Reginaldo Filho, Juares Machado dos Santos, Heleno Leopoldo Loh and Fabricio Silveira Dias for alleged fraud.  

Romania: John Paul Pender (North Carolina)

January 30, 2004

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Romania into identity fraud and money laundering.

Australia seeks US bank records for fraud investigation into former tax officer

December 31, 2003

Article based on an application to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into alleged fraud by a former employee of the Australian Tax Office - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Australia - that was filed at federal court in the USA on February 4, 2003. Individuals and businesses mentioned in the request for assistance include Gordon Munro Walker, Bank One, Cal Fed Bank, Pacific Trust Bank, Union Bank of California, Washington Mutual, Wells Fargo Bank, Western Financial Bank, and Bank of America. 

AlphaStar files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

December 21, 2003

Bermuda-domiciled AlphaStar Insurance Group Ltd. and 11 of its subsidiaries have applied for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York. The group is seeking breathing room while it seeks buyers for its assets, including policy-issuing subsidiary Realm National Insurance Company, for which AlphaStar "is no longer able to provide capital".

UK seeks evidence in Florida for investigation into alleged money laundering by Athanasis Apostolopoulos and accomplices

November 30, 2003

The United Kingdom is seeking evidence in Florida for a criminal investigation into the alleged laundering of the proceeds of narcotics trafficking. Details are contained in two applications for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence pursuant to a

Ex-BVI Gov’t minister Andrew Fahie investigated for money laundering

October 31, 2003

A United States federal court has granted a request for judicial assistance regarding a criminal investigation into a former member of the British Virgin Islands Government and his banking officer wife.The targets of the investigation are Andrew Alturo Fahie, 33, who was the BVI's Minister of Education & Culture until a change of government in June of this year, and his wife, Sheila E. Fahie, a.k.a. Sheila Fannie, Sheila Romney, 36, an officer with Banco Popular in BVI.

USA v. Gilbert A. Ziegler et al: Second Superseding Indictment

October 27, 2003

Second Superseding Indictment in USA vs. Gilbert Allen Ziegler, a.k.a. Van Arthur Brink; Rita Regale, a.k.a. Rita Brunges; Douglas Ferguson, Robert Skirving and Laurent Barnabe, a.k.a. Larry Barnabe, at the U. S. District Court for the District of Oregon.

Poland: Bank Pekao(2)

October 10, 2003

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Poland into alleged fraud.

Poland: Jacek Piskulski et al

October 10, 2003

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Poland into Jacek Piskulski, Maciej Jeleniewski, Ewa Winerowicz and Michal Gajewski for alleged fraud.

Germany: Hans-Ulrich Schafer et al

October 10, 2003

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Germany into Hans-Ulrich Schafer, Christian Zogg, Marianna Martin and Alfred Sturwold for alleged fraud.

United Kingdom: Athanasis Apostolopoulos et al

October 7, 2003

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into Athanasis Apostolopoulos and others.

British Virgin Islands: Andrew Fahie et al (Terrance B. Lettsome Airport Investigation)

October 6, 2003

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from the British Virgin Islands - for a criminal investigation into suspected fraud, theft, and money laundering by Andrew Fahie and his wife, Sheila Fahie, involving the expansion and improvement of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport.

Lancer Offshore Receiver’s first report paints gloomy picture

September 11, 2003

More than $600 million of the $1.15 billion invested in the Lancer Offshore group of hedge funds from 1995 to 2002 may be lost.The initial report of Lancer's receiver, Marty Steinberg, acting for the SEC, showed that investors put in

Australia: Roger Gregory Matson

September 2, 2003

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Australia into Roger Gregory Matson, his wife, Janette Matson; and their two children, Baron Matson and Matilda Matson for alleged fraud and money laundering.

Poland: Syxtus Gaal (New Hampshire)

June 12, 2003

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Poland into Syxtus Gaal for alleged fraud against several Polish banks.

Poland: Syxtus Gaal (Delaware)

June 4, 2003

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Poland into Syxtus Gaal for alleged credit card fraud.

CFTC sues forex firm whose ‘head’ trader’ was a house painter

May 31, 2003

A federal judge in Oregon has frozen the assets of several parties accused of operating an alleged foreign currency trading scam headed by former house painter Russell Cline and with ties to the Caribbean island of Dominica.

Superseding indictment filed against Terry Neal

April 30, 2003

Offshore financial services provider and asset protection book author Terry L. Neal has been criminally indicted on tax-related offenses in the United States for the second time in three months.A 13-count superseding indictment was filed on April 23, 2003 against Neal, of St. Kitts and Oregon; and three associates, Lee. E. Morgan, of Oregon; James Fontano, of Nevada; and Aaron Young, of Oregon.

US assists BVI with airport corruption probe

April 30, 2003

The United States authorities have assisted the British Virgin Islands government in an investigation into alleged corruption regarding contracts at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport.Katherine M. Ho, Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, filed a notice at the local Federal Court on March 17, 2003 stating that she had finished compiling evidence in accordance with a request by the BVI Government under a mutual legal assistance treaty.

USA v. Sylvia Hermann et al: Criminal Indictment

April 9, 2003

Indictment in USA v. Sylvia Hermann and Ali A. Yawar at the U. S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Germany: Bodo Schnabel et al

April 1, 2003

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Germany into Bodo August Schnabel and Ingrid Schnabel for alleged fraud.

US Treasury officer pleads guilty to receiving ‘unlawful compensation’ from fraudster

March 31, 2003

A United States Treasury officer whose job involved warning the public about investment fraud has admitted receiving money for providing information to someone who turned out to be a fraudster. James Lynn Kramer-Wilt pleaded guilty on January 30, 2003 to one count of "willful receipt of unlawful compensation from a source other than the executive branch of the United States Government". He is currently awaiting sentencing at the U. S. District Court for the District of Eastern Texas and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Former trader for Bahamas scam firm sued in United States

February 28, 2003

An unregulated commodities trader who was involved with a Bahamas-based offshore firm accused last year of fraud has had similar allegations brought against him in the United States Robert L. Schillaci is a defendant in a civil lawsuit filed at the U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on November 21, 2002.

Brazil: Diogenes Bayde Importadora

February 26, 2003

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Brazil into Salim Bayde Filho, Jr. and his wife, Carla Maria Pinheiro Bayde, for suspected tax evasion through their company Diogenes Bayde Importadora e Exportadora Ltda.

Australia: Gordon Munro Walker

February 4, 2003

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Australia into suspected tax fraud by Gordon Munro Walker.

GenStar v. Platinum Indemnity lawsuit settled

January 31, 2003

A civil lawsuit filed by General Star Indemnity Company against Bank of America and Bermuda-based rent-a-captive Platinum Indemnity Ltd. has been settled. The settlement was registered with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on October 29, 2002.

USA v. Almon Glenn Braswell et al: First Superseding Indictment

January 30, 2003

First Superseding Indictment in USA v. Almon Glenn Braswell, Robert Bruce Miller, and William E. Frantz at the U. S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Switzerland: Lothar Trinks at al

December 19, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Switzerland into Lothar Trinks and Christina Kaiser for alleged fraud, embezzlement, disloyal management of business, forgery of documents, and money laundering.

Colombia: Jose Rosario Contreras Bello

November 8, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into the murder of Colombian National Police Colonel Jose Rosario Contreras Bello possibly by the narcotics trafficking organization known as the Cali Cartel.

Belgium: Robert John Hart

November 8, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Belgium into Robert John Hart for alleged fraud and money laundering.

British Virgin Islands: Berton Smith et al (Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport investigation)

October 22, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from the British Virgin Islands - for a criminal investigation into Berton Smith, Derek Grant, Albion Hodge, Alvin Hodge, and others for suspected corruption involving contracts for the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport.

PartnerRe dragged into weather-related insurance dispute

September 30, 2002

PartnerRe's United States based operation has been dragged into litigation over who is responsible for paying $29 million of losses relating to weather derivative contracts covering 'special events'. PartnerRe was named as a third party defendant in a complaint filed

South Korea: Seong Jin Hong

September 13, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in South Korea into Seong Jin Hong for alleged embezzlement while serving as president of Continental Co., operator of the Shilla Hotel Casino.

USA v. Sylvia Hermann: Criminal Complaint

September 10, 2002

Criminal Complaint in USA v. Sylvia Hermann, a.k.a. Sylvia A. Ilcken, at the U. S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Germany: Edmund Ballier et al

September 3, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Germany into Edmund Ballier, Friedrich-Karl Gradl, Detlev Pinnow, Gerd Ullrich, Fritz-Heinz Bosking, Wolfgang Hummer, Philipp Schauer, Ludwig Schauer and others for alleged fraud.

Switzerland: Henderson Pacific et al

September 3, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Switzerland into Hans Josef Ludwig, Georg Eduard von Boguslawski, Robert Schoch and Lidia Santangelo-Ortoleva for alleged fraud involving Henderson Pacific Private Bank and Henderson Pacific Financial Services AG.

Netherlands: Antonius Johannes Maria Van der Stappen

August 7, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in the Netherlands into Antonius Johannes Maria Van der Stappen for alleged bank fraud.

Turks and Caicos Islands: Dwight Rigby

July 1, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal prosecution in the Turks and Caicos Islands into Dwight Rigby for alleged forgery, theft and money laundering while employed by Temple Securities.

Germany: Hans-Jurgen Henning

June 18, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Germany into Hans-Jurgen Henning and others for alleged fraud.

USA v. Alvin Irwin Moss et al: Criminal Indictment

May 8, 2002

Indictment filed by USA against Alvin Irwin Moss, Frederick John Collier, Avraham Zohar, a.k.a. Avy Zohar; Richard Titterington, Geoffrey L. Feldman, Sherrie-Lee Doreen Cave, Peter James O'Sullivan, Rosalind Rose, Wayne Budd, Thomas Montgomery Bayer, Robert Murray Bohn, Stacy Layne Beavers, Beverly Ann Moss, Jeffery Allen Moss, Larry Charles Moss, Michael Joseph Harkin and Michael Elliot Cole at the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee.

British Virgin Islands: Bank of America

May 6, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from the British Virgin Islands - for a criminal investigation into Berton Smith, Derek Grant, Nu-Tel Communications Inc., Lester Salkey, Clyde Thompson, Albion Hodge, Alvin Hodge, and B&A Networking Services for suspected bribery, corruption, false accounting, fraud, and theft regarding a contract to construct and expand the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport.

Belgium: Barthold Gobbens

April 22, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Belgium into Barthold Gobbens for alleged fraud, forgery and theft.

United Kingdom: Mohinder Singh Basra et al(2)

April 11, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into Mohinder Singh Basra and Javaid Akhtar Chaudhary regarding the alleged laundering of the proceeds of narcotics trafficking.

United Kingdom: Mohinder Singh Basra et al

April 11, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner for to collect evidence for a money laundering investigation in the UK into Mohinder Singh Basra and Javaid Akhtar Chaudhary.

Finland: Elena Skorodumova

April 9, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Finland - for a criminal investigation into Elena Skorodumova for alleged tax fraud.

Brazil: Jose Samuel Benzecry

April 8, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into Marcos Marcelino De Oliveira, Jose Samuel Benzecry,Ourvoida Serruya Benzecry, Leonardo Dias Mendonca and others for suspected money laundering, smuggling, foreign currency evasion, and tax evasion.

More indictments alleging financial crime in Grenada

March 31, 2002

Four people have been criminally indicted in relation to an alleged Ponzi scheme involving Grenada that investigators say defrauded at least 700 investors out of more than $39 million. Two of the main vehicles allegedly used in the scheme were Grenada-registered Rahab Trust and Management Company and Caribbean Merchant Bank, whose banking licenses were revoked last year.