Corruption charges against ex-UNGA president shocks Ban Ki-moon

ABC News reported that Ng Lap Seng, a Clinton ally who played a role in “Donorgate” ahead of the 1996 elections, was charged by federal prosecutors in New York for funneling more than half a million dollars to a former president of the United Nations General Assembly in an effort to build a multibillion-dollar U.N.-connected conference center.

Additionally, Ashe allegedly pocketed more than $800,000 in bribes from various Chinese businessmen to support business deals in Antigua, according to prosecutors.

“The secretary general was shocked and deeply troubled to learn this morning of the allegations against John Ashe, the former president of the General Assembly, which go to the heart of the integrity of the United Nations”, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson of UN General Assembly Ban Ki-Moon said.

The world body said that its authorities were not informed of the case until it was featured in the press, indicating that they would have cooperated with the investigators if they were contacted by the relevant U.S. authorities.

In statement Attorney Preet Bharara said: “If proven, today’s charges will confirm that the cancer of corruption that plagues too many local and state governments infects the United Nations as well”.

A 37-page U.S. indictment made public yesterday also outlines multiple bribery charges against American-Chinese Shiwei Yan and Heidi Hong Piao. Lorenzo in 2014 arranged for Ashe to come with other United Nations officials back to Macau to discuss the project with Ng, allegedly in exchange for a $200,000 payment. His attorney has described the arrest as a misunderstanding.

The intermediaries included Francis Lorenzo, 48, a deputy United Nations ambassador from the Dominican Republic who prosecutors said Ng paid $20,000 monthly as “honorary president” of one of his organizations, South-South News. Ashe allegedly shared the bribe money with a former prime minister of Antigua, the complaint said.

According to the complaint, during the course of the scheme Ashe solicited and received bribes in various forms, including cash and payments to third parties to cover his personal expenses, such as a family vacation and construction of a private basketball court at his house in Dobbs Ferry.

Each of the two charges Ashe faces carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison.

Ashe, 61, who had served as the 68th UNGA President, was arrested here and is among six people arrested in the case.

“The present government of Antigua and Barbuda has implemented and upholds the highest standards of good governance and accountability”, it said.

United in greed, the defendants allegedly formed a corrupt alliance of business and government, converting the UN into a platform for profit.