Angolan Businessman Pedro Lussati Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison for Embezzlement and Money Laundering
Businessman Convicted of Multi-Million Dollar Embezzlement Scam
On Tuesday, Angolan businessman Pedro Lussati was sentenced to 21 years in prison following his conviction on charges of embezzlement, fraud in transporting currency abroad, and money laundering 1.
Manipulation of Salary Sheets Leads to Multi-Million-Dollar Embezzlement Scheme
The Angolan court found that Lussati had manipulated and inflated salary sheets of the Security House of the President of the Republic of Angola between 2008 and 2018 1. This scheme reportedly involved:
- Embezzlement of public funds
- Payments for non-existent employees, or “ghost workers”
The high-profile case, known as the “Lussati case,” involves 49 defendants, many of whom are high-ranking military and civilian officials 1.
Embezzlement and Money Laundering Charges
Lussati was sentenced to 15 years for embezzlement and six years for money laundering 1.
Co-accused Jacinto Hengombe Sentenced to 13 Years
Co-accused Jacinto Hengombe, the assistant to the secretary general of the Angolan President’s Security House, was sentenced to a total of 13 years, with ten years for embezzlement and three years for money laundering 1.
Acquittal of Some Defendants
Despite overwhelming evidence, the defendants Fernando Moisés Dumbo, Manuel Correia, and Francisco Ventura were acquitted of all charges due to insufficient evidence to prove their involvement in the criminal scheme 1.
Variable Prison Sentences for Remaining Defendants
The remaining defendants were sentenced to varying prison terms, ranging from three to seven years 1.
## References
- Lusa