Here's What a $1.3 Million Bribe (Allegedly) Buys a Top United Nations Official With a Taste For the Good Life
On Tuesday, federal prosecutors indicted John Ashe, the former president of the U.N. General Assembly, on charges that he’d received close to $1.3 million in bribes from Chinese real estate developers. But far more interesting than the allegations of corruption (yawn) are the items he’s accused of purchasing with the dirty money—and what they say about him.
So what does $1.3 million allegedly buy you, a top U.N. official and Ambassador for Antigua with untaxed cash burning a hole through your hand-tailored suit? According to prosecutors:
- Hand-tailored suits...................................................................$59,000
- Two Rolex watches....................................................................$54,000
- A new BMW X5............................................................................$40,000
- South Carolina country club membership........................$69,000
- Home basketball court.............................................................$30,000
- A bribe for the Prime Minister of Antigua........................$100,000
- A bribe for the Prime Minister of Antigua’s party.........$13,000
- Credit card payments................................................................$48,000
- Cash withdrawals.......................................................................$13,500
- Gucci shopping spree................................................................$5,000
- And of course, transfers to personal bank accounts.....$The rest
A new BMW! Gucci for his wife! A basketball court! Ashe may be a man of the world but his tastes? Decidedly Bergen County.
In the meantime, what do those bribes allegedly buy you, the billionaire Chinese real estate developer?
- A multibillion-dollar U.N.-sponsored conference center in your hometown of Macau
- Introductions to government officials
- Whatever you want, essentially
It’s good to be rich—until you get caught.
