Much of Paul Manafort’s work for controversial overseas clients had a common theme: Oleg Deripaska’s backing. Despite the limelight, Manafort appears to still be putting together “major real estate deals with a motley crew from across the globe,” with the help of a talented fixer. (WSJ, Real Deal)
Ukraine’s leadership is “getting to be as corrupt, self-dealing, and nakedly authoritarian as the one uprooted by the Maidan protests,” says Sean Keeley, and “Western willingness to launder oligarchs’ money and whitewash their reputations allows the current system to flourish.” (American Interest)
Rather than strengthening Ukraine’s defenses, $1.5 billion in assets confiscated from Yanukovych …read more
Source: Kleptocracy Initiative