Wachovia bank executives have admitted that the banking giant laundered millions of dollars for Mexican drug lords between 2003 and 2008, prosecutors announced in Miami this afternoon.
The bank has promised to pay $160 million in fines and penalties and to set up new safeguards within a year to prevent drug money from coming through the bank.
If it fails in that effort, Wachovia could face criminal charges, says Jeffrey Sloman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District.
“Wachovia’s blatant disregard for our banking laws gave international cocaine cartels a virtual carte blanche to finance their operations,” Sloman said at a meeting in downtown Miami. “[They] laundered at least $110 million in drug proceeds.”
Continue reading Wachovia Admits It Laundered Millions in Mexican Drug Cash
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Southern District of Florida (17 March 10)