DOMINICAN OFFICIALS COMMIT IPO ACT VIOLATIONS, AND MAY FACE US MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGES

One of the Seven Deadly Sins ?

Individuals in Dominica, with first-hand knowledge of the facts, have alleged that Dr. Kenneth Darroux, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, Physical Planning & Fisheries, accepted gifts, but not cash, from the Iranian national recently arrested, Alireza Monfared;  Such an act is a violation of the Integrity in Public Office (IPO) Act. Dr. Darroux may not be a target of any criminal investigation, but it is possible that he could later be called upon to give testimony, regarding other individuals he has been associated with. Darroux is reportedly unworried about his past conduct.

Inasmuch as there has been absolutely no mention of IPO Act violations, in connection with the diplomatic passport fiasco, I must only assume that everyone in government is studiously ignoring that law.

Certain other Dominican officials are suspected of receiving what can only be described as bribes, from Mr. Monfared. Did they receive this money while on the governmental trip to Malaysia ? We cannot say, but one rumor has them concerned about possible exposure to criminal charges; Here's why.

Any Dominican government officials that have accepted bribes, kickbacks, or other illegal compensation from Monfared have serious cause for concern, for should they have deposited any portion of that money, in a bank account, they may later be found to have committed an American money laundering violation, which has a maximum penalty of twenty years' imprisonment. Under US law, the processing of any US Dollar deposits, which end up in transit through the New York banking center, confers jurisdiction; Additionally the courts have held that there is extraterritorial jurisdiction for money laundering offenses. This mean that, even if the offender never enters the US, he can be found guilty of money laundering.

Alireza Monfared on the far left,  Kenneth Darroux far right.

A final note; I am, thus far, still unable to confirm the rumor, passed to me recently, that there is a confidential informant, also known as a cooperating individual, in the Cabinet, in some capacity, but there seems to be a lot of information being bandied about, regarding the details of the Malaysia trip.