This NY Times article reports that FBI and federal banking investigators are examining cash transactions in foreign accounts at Washinton D.C.-based Riggs National Bank for possible connections to terrorist groups or money-laundering activities. Accounts controlled by diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman have been included in the inquiry.
In addition to the foregoing inquiry, a corporate account controlled by the president of the West African nation of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasago, is also being examined because millions of dollars in questionable funds flowed through that account. Exxon Mobil, a major player in developing Equatorial Guinea’s energy reserves, deposited about $300 million into Mr. Mbasago’s personal Riggs accounts.