-Caveat Lector- U.S. Probes Possibility of Russian Mob "Moles"-WSJ NEW YORK, Sept 2 (Reuters) - U.S. authorities fear Russian mobsters may have put "moles" inside major Western banks and securities firms to help them launder money, the Wall Street Journal reported in Thursday's online edition. These authorities told the Journal that information from informants and other confidential sources suggests Russian organised crime rings "are making an active effort to penetrate the U.S. financial system." "They'll put people in sensitive positions in the bank, so they can utilise them at some later point," the Journal reported, quoting a law-enforcement official with a long history of investigating Russian groups in the U.S. But there is little public evidence of such activity, these authorities told the Journal. The report of possible plants comes as U.S. and foreign law enforcement officials are investigating the handling of billions of dollars allegedly tied to Russian mobsters in what could be one of the largest money laundering schemes in U.S. history. The initial investigation centred on the Bank of New York Co. Inc. , but has widened in recent days to include the possible diversion by Russians of International Monetary Fund loans. The Bank of New York has denied any wrongdoing and said that it is cooperating with the authorities. Moscow has called allegations of Russian involvement in money laundering a smear by Westerners and denied that it has misused IMF loans. The IMF has said it has no evidence that its cash was diverted. In a separate story, the Journal said on Thursday that a report which is expected later on Thursday concludes that Russian and U.S. officials had set up an adequate system to prevent illegal diversion of surplus U.S. food aid to Russia. But the same report also is expected to warn that Russian organised-crime syndicates "heavily infiltrated" Russian ports where the food shipments are delivered. ((New York Newsdesk, + 212 859 1700)) REUTERS Copyright 1999 Reuters.All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ================================= Robert F. Tatman [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Remove "nospam" from the address to reply. NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml POSTING THIS MESSAGE TO THE INTERNET DOES NOT IMPLY PERMISSION TO SEND UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL E-MAIL (SPAM) TO THIS OR ANY OTHER INTERNET ADDRESS. RECEIPT OF SPAM WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION OF THE SENDER'S ISP. ____________________________________________________________________ Get your own FREE, personal Netscape WebMail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
