In the past, it has been notoriously difficult for foreign tax authorities to go directly after U.S. persons who are or were involved in fraudulent tax schemes. These lawsuits often fail on jurisdictional grounds, as the people involved and the evidence needed to substantiate a claim are sheltered behind offshore intermediaries. In a major ongoing lawsuit, this veil may now be lifted as a federal judge in New York has agreed to issue letters rogatory seeking evidence and testimony from offshore entities allegedly involved in the scheme.

On June 9, 2020, Sudanese Militia leader Ali Abd Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kousayb, surrendered himself to International Crime Court (ICC) authorities. The event occurred thirteen years after the warrant for his arrest was first issued, on April 27, 2007. Koushayb’s alleged crimes occurred between 2003 and 2004 during the Darfur conflict as part of his involvement in the counter-insurgency efforts of the Sudanese government. Koushayb’s trial will be the first ever trial held for crimes committed during this conflict. [1]

On July 24, 2020, Malaysia and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. concluded a settlement agreement to resolve the criminal investigation by Malaysia into Goldman Sach’s role in diverting money from 1MDB. The settlement requires Goldman Sachs to pay $3.9 billion.[1]

In June 2020, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) released its report on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on terrorism and counter-terrorism.[1]

On July 15, 2020, President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General William P. Barr announced several indictments related to Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV), an initiative started in August 2019 aimed at disrupting, dismantling, and ultimately destroying MS-13.[1]

                On July 15, 2020, the United States Department of Justice brought a civil forfeiture complaint,[1] demanding the forfeiture of a mansion in Potomac, Maryland on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. Yahya Jammeh, the former president of The Gambia, acquired the property with approximately $3.5 million in corruption proceeds through a trust established by his wife Zineb Jammeh.[2]

On July 17, 2020, European Union High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell made a statement on United States sanctions.[1] The sharp criticism is the latest shot across the bow of U.S. unilateral sanctions.

On July 16, 2020, Essentra FZE Company Limited (Essentra FZE), a global supplier of cigarette products, which is incorporated in the United Arab Emirates, entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and defrauding the United States in connection with evading sanctions on North Korea.[1]

On July 18, 2020, Cyprus extradited two individuals to the United States in unrelated cases. The most important for Cyprus was the extradition of Joshua Polloso Epifaniou, 21, a resident of Nicosia, Cyprus.  He is the first Cypriot national that Cyprus has ever extradited to the U.S. The second case concerned Ghassan Diab, 37 a Lebanese citizen, wanted in Florida for conspiring to engage in, and actually engaging in, laundering of drug proceeds through the black market peso exchange in support of Hezbollah’s global criminal-support network.[1]

On July 17, 2020, Emilio Lozoya, former CEO of Mexico’s oil company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) arrived in Mexico after Spain extradited him on corruption-related charges. Upon his arrival, a medical expert detected that he suffered from anemia and general weakness due to his esophagus. As a result, he was brought to a hospital and was being treated and remained under strict watch by the police.[1]