U.S. Treasury rejects sanctions removal bid for Liberian Senator McGill

The U.S. Treasury Department has rejected a request by Liberian Senator Nathaniel F. McGill to lift Global Magnitsky sanctions against him. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) maintained McGill’s status on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, where he has been since August 2022 due to corruption allegations.

In its determination, OFAC stated that McGill’s election to the Liberian Senate returned him to a position of public trust, which leaves him vulnerable to engaging in and benefiting from public corruption. The Treasury also noted that McGill failed to provide promised records regarding his business interests and offered arguments that did not address the original basis for his designation.

McGill had argued that his circumstances had changed following his resignation as minister of state for presidential affairs and chief of staff to former President George Weah. However, OFAC rejected this, noting the designation applies to both current and former government officials.