American executives’ names surface in Panama Papers
The names of hundreds of Americans have surfaced in the Panama Papers, including a handful of U.S. businessmen accused or convicted by U.S. authorities for ties to financial crimes or Ponzi schemes.
The identities of the Americans emerged from the treasure trove of documents obtained by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, the U.S.-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and hundreds of other media organizations.
The consortium has so far identified more than 200 people with U.S. addresses who own companies in the leaked data from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca. Some appear to be retirees purchasing real estate in places like Costa Rica and Panama, according to the consortium. But there are at least a few Americans in the leaked files who have faced charges for serious financial crimes in the U.S.
Among the names: Benjamin Wey, a Wall Street fanancier, and Robert Miracle, of Bellevue, Wash., was sentenced to prison for his part in a Ponzi scheme.
Benjamin Wey, CEO of New York Global Group, bottom left, leavs Manhattan Federal Court Wednesday, June 24, 2015, in New York. Wey is one of several prominent American businessmen whose names have surfaced in the Panama Papers. (AP)