Maduro ally admits to corruption offenses

TT-AP

 

Published 20.43

 

Alex Saab (right) pictured with Nicolás Maduro in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. File photo. Photo: Jesus Vargas/AP/TT

Businessman Alex Saab, a former ally of Venezuela's ousted president Nicolás Maduro, has pleaded guilty in the US to a money laundering charge linked to alleged bribery.

Saab has agreed to cooperate with the US justice system and its corruption investigations, thereby qualifying for a prison sentence shorter than the 20-year maximum for money laundering.

Alex Saab previously served as Minister of Industry in Venezuela. A close ally of Nicolás Maduro, he was removed from his ministerial post and extradited from Venezuela to the US in May of this year.

Saab, who was born in Colombia, has previously been convicted in the US.