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}}}>Begin EMAIL THIS | Close 'Russian mafia infiltrate Riviera' By Victor Mallet in Paris Published: April 11 2002 20:06 | Last Updated: April 11 2002 20:16 Russian mafia groups have replaced Italians as the main source of shady property investments in the French Riviera and have profited from the "grave shortcomings" of the local French justice system, the authors of a National Assembly report on money- laundering in France said on Thursday. According to one prosecutor quoted in the report, organised criminal gangs from eastern Europe have successfully infiltrated the French economy, with Russians alone investing more than $40bn (£28bn) in the country. Paris and south-east France are the main targets for foreign property investors. Evidence of wealthy Russians investing ill-gotten gains in expensive property on the Mediterranean coast has been accumulating for several years, and the French deputies focus most of their criticism on the laxness and suspected corruption of various local officials and magistrates. "Some magistrates are concerned by the more and more visible penetration of criminal interests into the institutions of the region," said Arnaud Montebourg, the outspoken Socialist deputy who co-authored the report. He described property as "black gold" that could be easily used as a money-laundering conduit for criminal earnings. As for the magistrates expected to investigate wrongdoing, some had close ties to local business people and politicians, and appeared to live in a style that could not be supported by their official salaries. Corruption cases were mysteriously dropped, and vital files had a habit of disappearing. Previous reports by the National Assembly mission have criticised Liechtenstein, Monaco, Switzerland, the UK and Luxembourg. Find this article at: http://news.ft.com/ft/gx.cgi/ ftc?pagename=View&c=Article&cid=FT3MDBUYWZC&live=true&tagid=ZZZAFZAVA 0C&subheading=europe EMAIL THIS | Close Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article. End<{{{ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Forwarded as information only; no automatic endorsement + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe simply because it has been handed down for many generations. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of Teachers, elders or wise men. Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all. Then accept it and live up to it." The Buddha on Belief, from the Kalama Sutta + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + "Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." --- Ernest Hemingway <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions 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, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== 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
