Financial Transparency Coalition

WASHINGTON, DC – The past twenty-four hours has seen the publication of two reports and the disclosure of an asset forfeiture complaint which, collectively, lay bare the size and seriousness of a global money laundering epidemic—underscoring the need for better incorporation transparency measures.

WASHINGTON, DC - Today the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) unsealed an asset forfeiture claim against a $30m Malibu house, a $38.5 million Gulfstream jet and other assets owned by the son of the President of Equatorial Guinea, claiming that they were bought with the proceeds of corruption. Global Witness, which in 2006 first revealed that Teodorin Obiang owned the Malibu mansion, welcomes this action after several years of investigations.

LONDON - The European Commission took a vital step on Tuesday towards helping millions of people in poor countries to benefit from their natural resources by proposing legislation requiring EU-based oil, gas, mining and timber companies to publicly disclose their payments to governments for each project that they invest in around the world.

LONDON - New European plans to reveal more about multinationals’ finances will help tackle corruption in the oil, gas and mining industries - but need toughening up if they are also to help poor countries fight multi-billion pound tax dodging, says Christian Aid.