Former Chinese official extradited to U.S. on money laundering
A former Chinese official and fugitive has been extradited
from Sweden to Los Angeles to face charges of money laundering and immigration
fraud, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Monday.
U.S. authorities took Jianjun Qiao into custody over the
weekend for allegedly conspiring to commit immigration fraud and international
transport of stolen money and to commit money laundering, among the charges,
according to a statement from the U.S. attorney for the Central District of
California.
Qiao, also known as “Feng Li”, was on the run for more than
five years as he faced charges in both the United States and China. He
allegedly laundered millions of dollars while a director of a state-owned grain
storehouse from 1998 to 2011, according to Monday’s statement and a 2018
indictment. Qiao allegedly used the funds to purchase two properties in
Monterey Park, California.
An lawyer for Qiao did not respond immediately to requests
for comment.
Sweden’s Supreme Court had previously blocked a Chinese
extradition request, saying there was a risk he would be persecuted because of
his political activity. Court documents seen by Reuters previously showed Qiao
had stated he had fled from China in 2011 after coming under pressure for
joining a banned political party.
Qiao was due to be arraigned on Monday afternoon in Los
Angeles.
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