Alex Saab, a long-time ally of Nicholas Maduro, was extradited from Venezuela and had his first appearance before Magistrate Judge Fulgueira Elfenbein last week. She ordered him to be detained without bond.
Though I write first appearance, this is not his first run-in with our court. Saab previously faced an indictment for conspiracy to commit money laundering. Media outlets report that the charges were dropped as part of a deal with the Maduro regime, which may be accurate, but the government's motion to dismiss in that case mentions a full pardon granted by President Biden. Judge Scola ended up dismissing that case on the same day as the motion.
With Maduro out of power and Alex Saab seemingly on the outs with the current powers that be, Venezuela deported him. Mr. Saab now faces money laundering charges stemming from his alleged involvement with Venezuelan food and oil contracts. Should be an interesting case to follow given the geopolitical ramifications and the previous factual and procedural history.
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