Alex Saab pleads guilty to money laundering in CLAP bribery scheme

Alex Saab CLAP food program money laundering Venezuela corruption Florida federal court

Alex Saab, a Colombian businessman and former Venezuelan official, has pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy in a Florida federal court. The plea follows an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice in which Saab committed to cooperating fully with federal investigations, including providing testimony and evidence regarding high-ranking Venezuelan government officials.

Court documents reveal that Saab participated in an illegal scheme involving the Venezuelan CLAP food program. Specifically, Saab admitted to arranging bribes and illegal payments to secure food supply contracts. One such agreement in 2016 involved the supply of 10 million food boxes through the state entity Cobiserta. Saab allegedly agreed to pay approximately $17 million in bribes to José Gregorio Vielma Mora, the former governor of Táchira.

As part of his plea deal, Saab has agreed to forfeit $195 million. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Judge Kathleen M. Williams has scheduled the sentencing hearing for January 20, 2027. The level of Saab's cooperation may influence the final sentence recommended by prosecutors.

Entities

Alex Saab · CLAP · Cobiserta · José Gregorio Vielma Mora · Kathleen M. Williams · Nicolás Maduro · South District of Florida · U.S. Department of Justice

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 8 SOURCES] Saab admitted to organizing an illegal scheme involving bribes and illegal payments related to Venezuela's CLAP food program. primeraedicioncol.com · contrapodernews.com · eluniverso.com · espiganoticias.net · noti-rse.com · +3 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The money laundering charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. eluniverso.com · espiganoticias.net · noti-rse.com · www.elbuentono.com.mx · www.entornointeligente.com · +1 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Judge Kathleen M. Williams scheduled Saab's sentencing hearing for January 20, 2027. eluniverso.com · espiganoticias.net · noti-rse.com · www.elbuentono.com.mx
[● 8 SOURCES] Saab will cooperate with federal investigations by providing information and testimony regarding high-ranking Venezuelan officials. eluniverso.com · espiganoticias.net · primeraedicioncol.com · contrapodernews.com · noti-rse.com · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Saab agreed to forfeit US$195 million as part of his plea deal. primeraedicioncol.com · espiganoticias.net · contrapodernews.com · noti-rse.com · www.elbuentono.com.mx · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Saab allegedly agreed to pay approximately US$17 million in bribes to former Táchira governor José Gregorio Vielma Mora. primeraedicioncol.com · espiganoticias.net · contrapodernews.com · noti-rse.com · www.elbuentono.com.mx · +3 more
[● 2 SOURCES] A 2016 agreement involved the supply of 10 million food boxes through the state company Cobiserta. primeraedicioncol.com · espiganoticias.net
[● 8 SOURCES] Alex Saab pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy in a Florida federal court. primeraedicioncol.com · contrapodernews.com · eluniverso.com · espiganoticias.net · noti-rse.com · +3 more