Financial Transparency Coalition

The United States government has asked a judge for leniency with regard to the sentencing of its star UBS-informant, Bradley Birkenfeld, whose sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for Friday. In June 2008, Birkenfeld - the man who infamously detailed how he smuggled diamonds through US customs in a toothpaste tube - plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Since then, however, he cooperated extensively with US investigators from a number of agencies, and became an invaluable informant/witness in the US's drawn out legal battle against UBS. From the AP:

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Bloomberg -- Former Credit Suisse Group AG broker Eric Butler was convicted of fraudulently selling millions of dollars in subprime securities to corporate clients that allowed him to generate higher commissions.

WASHINGTON - Craig Shaber, an attorney from San Diego was arraigned today before Magistrate Judge Anthony J. Battaglia in that city on charges of conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and tax evasion for years 2000 to 2002, the Justice Department and IRS announced. On Aug. 14, 2009, Steven Wright, an accountant, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jan M. Adler to one count of tax evasion for the 2000 tax year. Wright admitted to evading $387,000 in taxes for 2000 to 2002.

JOHANNESBURG — Frederick Chiluba, the former president of Zambia whose government became internationally notorious for corruption during his years in office, was acquitted Monday on charges of stealing about $500,000 from the state.