| Date: |
10-06-2005 |
| Source: |
Guardian Unlimited, UK/ Associated Press |
| Author: |
By LARRY NEUMEISTER |
Three men have been charged in what prosecutors said Thursday was a massive scheme to bribe high-level government officials in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan to get favorable treatment in oil deals.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Garcia said the charges were contained in a 27-count indictment in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. The indictment was not immediately available. Garcia scheduled a news conference later in the day.
Garcia did not immediately release the identities of the men, though he said two had surrendered to the FBI in New York and a third was arrested outside the United States.
If convicted, the men face a maximum of 20 years on money laundering charges and up to five years on each count of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
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