Maduro ally Alex Saab pleads guilty in federal money laundering case

A close ally of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Alex Saab, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a single count of money laundering, according to prosecutors. The alleged bribery conspiracy aimed to secure lucrative government contracts in Venezuela. Saab, 54, agreed to cooperate with federal investigations and forfeit $195 million in criminal proceeds from the scheme.

The money laundering offense carries a maximum 20-year penalty, but prosecutors are seeking a lower sentence, contingent on his cooperation. Saab was deported to the U.S. in May, where he faces up to 20 years in prison. The indictment accuses Saab and others of setting up fake companies, falsifying shipping records, and skimming from government contracts to import food from Colombia and Mexico.