Venezuela Ex-Minister Alex Saab Pleads Guilty in CLAP Money-Laundering Case

Former Venezuelan industry minister Alex Saab pleaded guilty in Miami to conspiracy to launder money from a nearly decade-long bribery and fraud scheme, the U.S. Justice Department said. Saab admitted arranging bribes to Venezuelan officials so entities controlled by conspirators could obtain food-and-medicine import contracts under the CLAP welfare program. Prosecutors said the conspirators used shell companies, false invoices and shipping records to divert hundreds of millions of dollars and launder proceeds internationally, including through the United States. The charge carries a maximum 20-year prison term; no sentencing date has been set.