(Washington) A Swiss and an Argentinian were indicted on Tuesday for their participation in a $1.2 billion money laundering scheme from the Venezuelan oil company PDVSA, the US Department of Justice announced.
Posted yesterday at 6:34 p.m.
Ralph Steinmann, 48, and Luis Fernando Vuteff, 51, both formerly of a Swiss asset management firm, are accused of helping Venezuelan officials siphon funds from PDVSA between 2014 and 2018, a statement said. of the ministry.
“Steinmann, Vuteff and others allegedly discussed and agreed to create a sophisticated financial mechanism and maintain the contacts required to launder more than $200 million related to this scheme and open accounts in the name of at least two Venezuelan officials so that they receive their bribes,” adds the same source.
If convicted, both defendants face up to 20 years in prison.
Luis Fernando Vuteff, an Argentinian citizen, was arrested and is awaiting extradition to Switzerland, while Ralph Steinmann, a Swiss national, is still wanted by the authorities.