Liberia’s Shocking Financial Fraud Saga: Ministers and Officials Accused of Laundering $3.3 million via Foreign Lobbying
Liberia, one of the poorest countries in the world, raises serious red flags with approximately $3.3 million spent annually on foreign lobbying fees. This alarming information was uncovered in an investigation conducted by Globe Afrique.
Money Laundering Scheme by High-Ranking Officials
The investigation unveiled a complex money laundering scheme involving some high-ranking officials in Liberia:
- Finance Minister Samuel Tweah
- State Minister Nathaniel F. McGill
- Maritime Commission Head Eugene Nagbe
This daring scheme, masked as foreign lobbying, defies the U.S.’s strong stance on corruption as a national security threat.
Per Capita Roster of Foreign Lobbyists
No African country, nor many worldwide, boasts a higher per capita number of foreign lobbyists than Liberia. Yet, it appears that the real purpose is not lobbying but rather disguising ill-gotten wealth.
Questionable Financial Transactions
March 5, 2018 - The Friedlander Group
The Liberian government signed a lobbying agreement with the Friedlander Group for $80,000 yearly on March 5, 2018, but terminated the contract on October 30, 2018. However, the Ministry of Finance is said to have withdrawn $80,000 from the Central Bank of Liberia.
August 22, 2018 - KRL International
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Gbehzonhngar Findley finalized a deal with KRL International on August 22, 2018, but the fee for the contract was left unreported. Despite termination by September 6, 2018, the Ministry of Finance collected the entire payment from the Central Bank of Liberia.
Previous Scandals
Under Findley’s leadership, Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was previously rebuked by the U.S. State Department for selling diplomatic passports to criminal elements. Andrew Wonplo, a former Director of Passport and Visas, was publicly designated due to involvement in “significant corruption and fraud that threatened the rule of law.”
Findley is not the only senior official implicated in such questionable practices. Former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Toga McIntosh allegedly sold Liberia’s diplomatic passports to Danish journalist Mads Brugger.
March 26, 2019 - Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Samuel Tweah, Liberia’s Finance Minister, engaged Greenberg Traurig, LLP, for a $250,000/year lobbying agreement on March 26, 2019, which was terminated on October 15, 2019. The government is believed to have withdrawn the entire amount from the Central Bank of Liberia, keeping the $75,150 difference.
Concerns about Accountability and Transparency
These instances raise concerns about accountability and transparency within Liberia’s government.