Venezuela President Maduro’s ally pleads guilty in U.S. corruption case

A Colombian-born businessman with close ties to ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pleaded guilty ‌on Tuesday (September 15, 202^) in a U.S. corruption case, as federal prosecutors prepare separately to take Maduro to trial ‌next year.

Alex Saab entered the plea to one count of ‌money ⁠laundering conspiracy at a hearing before U.S. District Judge ⁠Kathleen Williams in Miami, court records show.

He also agreed to forfeit $195 million and cooperate with the U.S. Department of Justice. The court records did not ​reveal the nature of any investigations ‌where Saab might offer help.

Saab’s lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Prosecutors said Saab stole millions of dollars from a welfare plan intended to help feed ‌needy Venezuelans, and transferred some proceeds to U.S. bank accounts.