Ex-Goldman Banker Berko Loses Bid to Dismiss US Bribery Case
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Article content(Bloomberg) — Former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. banker Asante Berko, who was charged in 2020 of conspiring with at least two high-ranking Ghana officials in a bribery scheme, lost a long shot bid to have a judge dismiss the criminal case against him.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentUS District Judge Diane Gujarati denied Berko’s request to dismiss the case based on complaints that prosecutors sealed the indictment without a proper reason and in violation of his right to a speedy trial. The judge said that the government had made “reasonably diligent efforts to locate and arrest” him.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentBerko was arrested in London in November 2022 on a six-count federal indictment that alleged he conspired with Ghanaian officials and others in a bribery scheme that benefited him, the bank and a Turkish energy company that wanted to build a power plant in the African nation. Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentHe was extradited to the US in 2024 and pleaded not guilty. The most serious charge of conspiring to launder money carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison.Article contentProsecutors say Berko was a member of the team at Goldman responsible for securing and managing financing for the power plant project and paid bribes to obtain the necessary approvals for a Turkish company, in which Goldman held a 16% stake. Prosecutors also allege Berko laundered the bribe money through US financial institutions.Article contentEarlier this year, Berko’s lawyers asked the US Justice Department to dismiss his case after President Donald Trump issued an executive order rolling back enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which the president said puts American companies at a disadvantage to their competitors overseas.Article contentAfter that failed, Berko in July asked Gujarati to dismiss the case arguing the indictment was improperly sealed and his constitutional rights to a speedy trial were violated.Article contentArticle contentProsecutors argued Berko’s indictment was sealed because he was overseas and FBI agents testified that they hoped to apprehend Berko, who lived in the UK and Ghana, when he next traveled to the US.Article contentBut Berko’s lawyers argued prosecutors misled a federal magistrate judge when they said they believed Berko resided in a country from which he could not be extradited as part of an effort to keep the indictment under wraps. Article contentGujarati said prosecutors acted reasonably in deciding not to try to extradite Berko from Ghana, for fear he might flee to a country that lacks an extradition treaty with the US or that local officials could try to protect him from being sent to the US.Article contentBerko resigned as the head of Ghana’s state-owned oil refinery in April 2020, after US regulators sued him for allegedly orchestrating bribes while he was a Goldman employee. He later settled that case by agreeing to pay more than $329,000, without admitting or denying the allegations.Article contentThe case is US v Berko, 20-cr-328, US District Court, Eastern District of New York (Brooklyn). Article contentTrending 'Why let one person in the States change your life?' For Canadian snowbirds, the stay or go dilemma gets complicated Real Estate Canada's population declines for the first time since the pandemic News Is a $2.75 million portfolio enough for Halifax empty nesters to retire early?
Personal Finance World watches as Ottawa's bullish shift on LNG puts wind at the back of two major projects Oil & Gas Expect 'dramatically higher' oil prices in 2026, says Eric Nuttall Oil & Gas Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. 'Why let one person in the States change your life?' For Canadian snowbirds, the stay or go dilemma gets complicated Real Estate Canada's population declines for the first time since the pandemic News Is a $2.75 million portfolio enough for Halifax empty nesters to retire early?
Personal Finance World watches as Ottawa's bullish shift on LNG puts wind at the back of two major projects Oil & Gas Expect 'dramatically higher' oil prices in 2026, says Eric Nuttall Oil & Gas