DENYING BONY LAUNDERING INVOLVEMENT, MOGILEVICH SAYS HE'S JUST A WHEAT TRADER.

Semen Mogilevich, the reputed Russian organized crime boss who allegedly laundered money through the Bank of New York (BONY), has given an interview to a leading Russian weekly. In it, he claims that he has been connected to the scandal only because one of his firms, coincidentally, has the word "Benex" in its name. Benex is the name of one of the companies set by Peter Berlin, who, along with his wife, former BONY employee Lucy Edwards, pleaded guilty in New York last week to money laundering and lesser charges (Moskovskie novosti, February 22). Investigators believe that nearly US$7 billion from Russia passed through Benex and other fund-transfer companies set up and operated by Berlin and Edwards into BONY. The couple, who are both Russian emigres, have apparently copped a plea and are cooperating with the U.S. authorities. According to a report this week, an organized crime group allegedly headed by Mogilevich and based in Budapest used the Edwards-Berlin channel to launder at least US$500 million (Newsweek, February 28).

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Suspect in Russian Money Laundering Is Denying Any Crime

One of the leading figures in an investigation into a possible global money laundering scheme denied today that he was involved in criminal activity.

Semyon Yukovich Mogilevich told the newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets that Western investigators had no evidence against him. He said they were simply exploiting fears of Russian organized crime to expand their budgets.

''All accusations of 'laundering,' controlling the drug trade, prostitution and contract murders is nothing but the raving of the F.B.I., which is trying to obtain more money from Congress to fight the 'Russian mafia,' '' Mr. Mogilevich said.

Read full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/29/world/suspect-in-russian-money-laundering-is-denying-any-crime.html?scp=49&sq=russian%20mafia&st=cse

The Most Dangerous Mobster in the World

In two posh villas outside the small town of Ricany, near Prague, one of the most dreaded mob families in the world savagely murders its terrified victims. The mob's young enforcers, trained by veterans of the Afghanistan war, are infamous for their extreme brutality. Their quarry, usually businessmen who have balked at extortion demands, are repeatedly stabbed and tortured, then mutilated before they are butchered. The carnage is so hideous that it has scared the daylights out of competing crime groups in the area.

Read full article here: http://www.villagevoice.com/1998-05-26/news/the-most-dangerous-mobster-in-the-world/1