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Former Guinean Mining Minister Convicted on Bribery and Money Laundering Charges

Financial Crimes SEC Bribery Anti-Money Laundering China

Financial Crimes

A former Guinean mining minister was found guilty earlier this week on bribery and money laundering charges following a seven-day jury trial in Manhattan federal court. He was charged with receiving and laundering $8.5 million in bribes allegedly for securing mining rights for two Chinese companies. 

The conviction came one day after the former minister took the stand in his own defense and admitted to lying to banks about his status as a government official, as well as failing to report the payments on his IRS tax return.

The conviction also follows other notable enforcement actions involving the mining industry in the Republic of Guinea. Earlier this year, the SEC charged former asset management executives with bribing government officials across Africa to secure mining deals, including in Guinea.