Ng Lap Seng convicted in UN bribery case

Ng Lap Seng waves to the media in this October 2015 photo. Photo by AP

Ng Lap Seng, the Chinese billionaire who created a firestorm of controversy in Dominica, was convicted on Thursday in a United Nation bribery case, which according to reports highlights the trading of cash for influence at the international body.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said in a statement Thursday evening, after the conviction, that Ng “corrupted the highest levels of the United Nations.”

“Through bribes and no show jobs, Ng turned leaders of the league of nations into his private band of profiteers,” he wrote. “Ng’s journey from a Macau real estate mogul to convicted felon should serve as a cautionary tale to all tempted to follow his path. If you bring corruption to New York — whether to the State Capitol in Albany or to the halls of the U.N. General Assembly – your journey may very well end in a Manhattan federal courtroom, with a unanimous jury announcing your guilt.”

Prosecutors argued that from 2010 to 2015, he bribed two U.N. ambassadors with hundreds of thousands of dollars to support his project to build a U.N. conference center in Macau.

However, his defense lawyers refuted this, stating that Ng only paid money when he was asked to do so in order to speed the project along.

The 69-year-old now faces a possible prison sentence of more than 60 years behind bars after he was convicted of six charges including bribery, money-laundering, and corruption.

His attorneys have vowed to appeal.

Controversy in Dominica

Ng Lap Seng was appointed a diplomat of Dominica and was among many who in recent times found themselves in hot water with the law. Others include Iranian, Alireza Zibahalat Monfared and former Nigerian minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke. Their cases shone the international spotlight on Dominica and have been the topic of much discussion in Dominica.

It is unknown whether Ng is still a Dominican diplomat since there has been no public statement on the matter from the government.

Questions began arising in Dominica when Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit was seen in a photograph with Ng and others in Macau before his arrest last year.

In early October 2015, the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) asked Skerrit “to come clean” in his relationship to Ng.

In a letter dated October 30, the UWP wrote to Skerrit demanding his resignation in the matter.

In the letter, the party said Dominica “has been plunged by your (Skerrit’s) dangerous affiliation with an alleged ‘Macau Crime Lord’ now charged for international racketeering, money laundering, and other crimes …”

But Skerrit’s legal team legal team did not take the matter lightly with Senior Counsel, Anthony Astaphan, describing the letter as disrespectful and malicious against a sitting Prime Minister.

He said an FBI’s investigation into the matter has been going on for five years and an affidavit made public by the FBI did not mention Dominica nor the Prime Minister.

“The affidavit has been circulated publicly, 37 pages longs, 53 paragraphs of detailed analysis of emails and evidence and not the slightest mention of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit or Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica,” Astaphan noted.

He stated the matter has to do with politics.

“We think it is absurd and outrageous that a man could put pen to paper like that to try to bring the country into disrepute simply as part of his own political gain …” he said.

For his part, last year the Prime Minister said he had no association with the FBI investigation that was going on at that time.

At a press conference on Friday, October 9th, 2015 he appeared incredulous that he was even being asked to comment on the matter.

“I mean, you are really asking that question?” he asked, followed by much laughter.

Through chuckles, he added, “The FBI told you that they are interested in me?”

“I am telling you, madam, that I have no association with this matter,” Skerrit noted. “None. And there is no authority in this world that is interested in Roosevelt Skerrit in any undue manner. None whatsoever. You should ask Mr. Linton about his information.”

Chinese billionaire developer Ng Lap Seng, Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit, Ambassadors Francis Lorenzo of the Dominican Republic and John W Ashe of Antigua and Barbuda cut a UN adorned cake, in Macau, China. Photo: Demotix.com

 

 

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54 Comments

  1. Let The Truth Be Known - Original
    July 31, 2017

    There is so much immorality in the world that you ignore some of them and even support them. One of it is men marrying men and women marrying women.
    People changing their sex from male to female and vice versa as they mutilate their bodies.
    I think we should be concerned about that which are abominations and also contaminate the minds of children/youths. Sins are sins but these are scandalous and far worse in the eyes of God which will cause Him to do what He did in Sodom and Gomorrah, destroy those areas and burn them down with all in it. It is only a matter of time.
    Remember that when you judge and condemn anyone. Some of these men may have given money to the poor and others they know. God will judge them as He will judge you.
    It is for this reason Our Lord Jesus Christ told us: “Judge not that you may not be judged accordingly and two-fold.” See about your soul and try to save it with the help of God and his graces!

  2. Karfwane Wedgehart.
    July 31, 2017

    All these one-percent (1%), cake-eating, ribbon-cutting, good-time charlies and laughing kookaburras along with their acolytes begs the question: “how does the other nine-t-nine percent live?”
    May justice prevail!

  3. Marcus Hill
    July 30, 2017

    Dear Editor of DNO,

    I would like to bring to your attention the fact that you only mentioned 2 Dominican ambassadors who have found themselves in trouble with the law.

    In the public’s interest, would you care to mention the others who have either been arrested or are on the run?

    Your sincerely,

    Marcus Hill
    London, UK

  4. anonymous2
    July 30, 2017

    The UN is a criminal organization. Who are they to talk. Nothing will happen to this guy IF this story is even true.

    • Let The Truth Be Known - Original
      July 31, 2017

      You are correct. I have no confidence in the UN, those who are involved in setting rules. I think it is only five of them and they want to rule the world and dictate to other countries as also the African countries. They are not really out to help the world but to destroy it in that to spread their immorality around. They are godless people. Left to them there would be one-world government and no religion and religious practices. Many do not know that. They will stick up for them at any cost. People better read well and hear about them. God will take care of them in time.

  5. A Failing PM... A Failing DLP Government!
    July 29, 2017

    With Ng Lap Seng, an alleged D/ca Labour Party major financier, being convicted on Thursday, 27th July 2017 in a UN bribery case, which according to reports highlights the trading of cash for influence at the international body… could the DLP government’s bubble finally bursting?

    With the 69-year-old now facing a possible prison sentence of more than 60 years behind bars after he was convicted of six charges including bribery, money-laundering, and corruption… what now holds for D/fa Labour Party and PM Skerrit?

    Although never particularly liked or respected, it is now clear that PM Skerrit is no longer feared. This miserable budget demonstrates the bankruptcy of his ideas and it’s exposed his incompetence. His momentum has been dissipated. His rejection of political norms has itself been scorned. Our long national nightmare may finally becoming to an end.

  6. July 29, 2017

    Who is next? Each day there are some that will lose sleep. Bank accounts will be opened in different countries including Panama. You all will run but you will not be able to hide for long.

  7. anonymous
    July 29, 2017

    now that the organizer has been found guilty what of the recipients of the bribery?

  8. Skerrit Must Go... Now!
    July 29, 2017

    Only the best source of news comes from the UK’s Financial Times, so here it is bonafide – all down and dusted with the news putting a big dark cloud over Skerrit’s budget on Friday, 28th July 2017:

    Chinese billionaire Ng Lap Seng convicted in UN bribery case – https://www.ft.com/content/31037500-7340-11e7-aca6-c6bd07df1a3c

  9. truth , shall set you free
    July 28, 2017

    no man, Is linton that saying that,about lg , Linton lying , come on Labourites, CLOWNS, lets protect our lord skerrit, He will take us to heaven soon

  10. UDOHREADYET
    July 28, 2017

    There are many Dominican citizens by birth who do nothing for Dominica or its future but corrupt children, commit crimes, sell hard drugs and join gangs to rob innocent citizens. those the type of Dominican citizens that need our focus.

    That man was not convicted of any crime before he became a CBI so whats the issue

    • Mr. Ben Dover
      July 31, 2017

      Whats your point? Also Dominica has no established gangs to “join”. Let alone have initiation processes, just useless lazy boys who prefer drugs, loud music and violence with easy money. Noone here needs to join a gang to rob anyone. anyway your point is rubbish in that you suggest that because we have internal concerns, we should ignore the external.

  11. Me
    July 28, 2017

    Look, Vince Henderson also in that photograph. Wii Ng open up the book on him too? Wait and see.

    • Mr. Ben Dover
      July 31, 2017

      vince is a millionaire overnight. the boy does be blinging more than Skerro. Everything is designer branded. Seems somebody tought him to dress overseas.

  12. B VIDAL
    July 28, 2017

    show your company and i will tell u who u are

    • Mr. Ben Dover
      July 31, 2017

      This statement isnt true. My company at the time doesn’t determine who i really am. Jesus ate with the beggars, zealots, prostitutes and scum of society. Same Jesus you and your family probably pray to. Would you say Jesus is scum? People like you are always quick to judge other. I cannot put my hand in fire for anyone, same way i cannot judge anyone, let alone based on their company.

    • Let The Truth Be Known - Original
      July 31, 2017

      If they knew nothing about those who are convicted and their lifestyle, how can you accuse them of anything? Be broadminded.
      How many people there are who hide their lifestyle from others who may never detect anything bad about them, some of the very same ones who make derogatory statements about these men.
      God knows what everyone does. Nothing is hidden from him. No one can hide from him. Therefore, remember folks, be careful of the stones that you throw. They will return on you and hit you extremely hard.

  13. Frankie Leung
    July 28, 2017

    Foreign tycoons should be cautious in bribing people within the US jurisdiction.

  14. July 28, 2017

    When are the so call laborites gonna wake up ? if it was not for linton, who expose the C.B.I . money everybody would be going about with there eyes close like skerro is God, now he has a farm, he gives monies away to them loubiere boys, for votes , if any one think those boys gonna buy, or build boats to go fishing , is a fool , they sit there and smoke the herb, and loath all the way to the bank, show me the boats that they bought? there should be pre conditions to the money that is being given, accountability, how you gonna bay back that money? they should have 2 sign a collateral contract , so the tax payers will get there money back, this people are getting free money the tax payers of dominica should be paid back , skerro cant just give our moneis away for votes, he will be like Mokabie in Zimbabwa

  15. dissident
    July 28, 2017

    Those in favor!
    Those against!
    De Ayes have it!

    Good riddance Mr. Woo!!!!!!!!!!
    Mr. Woo can’t help you now…….And Jah know skerrit can’t help him either!

    This time money can’t save a billionaire huh??????

  16. %
    July 28, 2017

    I never knew that Dominica would have such an inept,dunce,gullible,idiotic and cake loving leader.Just dangle cake in front of him,and you can have the entire country…Cakeman I call him.

  17. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    July 28, 2017

    “But Skerrit’s legal team legal team did not take the matter lightly with Senior Counsel, Anthony Astaphan, describing the letter as disrespectful and malicious against a sitting Prime Minister.”

    I am on the lookout to see how this invincible Dominica low life team of lawyers are going to defend against this criminal conviction nuh!

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

    A so called prime minister, the most controversial in the history of this universe, who surround himself in a circle of criminals, including thieves, money laundering, and bribes what sort of respect does any corrupt so called prime minister deserve?

    In any event the ones they believe disrespect the corrupted Roosevelt Skerrit are vindicated, but the disgrace, and smear of associating with criminals are splashed all over Roosevelt’s face. Shame however, he does not have.

    A man is known by the company he associates with: Birds of a feather flocked together, so do criminal and thieves!

  18. Jonathan St jean
    July 28, 2017

    The US has a jail cell for Skerritt too. I’m sure that during the sentencing phase,Ng Lap Seng will try to get the 60years reduced.Names will be named.Keep your ears open because here it comes

  19. jose
    July 28, 2017

    90% of politicians corrupt. They should just throw them all in jail… or worse

  20. July 28, 2017

    Tic toc tic toc tic toc, watch out cakecutters :-D :-D :-D :-D

  21. July 28, 2017

    Looks like the lawyer for pm hide and defend lost of lies i alway thing the the pm was in full courption we see at the next elextion i cannot vote some who is makeing himself rich on my vote i alway say let the country develoup after you take what you want but all eating . not before it even start
    but the opsotion learder must go we need some good learder.

  22. Profet of doom.
    July 28, 2017

    Every picture tells a story. There’s more at the door. There’s more behind the door and there will be moooooooo
    How is that for Due deligence? Eat your heart out those outside the doors!

  23. July 28, 2017

    Some Dominicans to wicked. Here are some of the individuals that Ng Lapseng has been associated with over the years: Eugenia Charles (Dominica PM 1980 to 1995), Edison James (Dominica PM 1995 to2000), US President Bill Clinton. I wonder if these individuals because of their past association with Lapseng should be guilty of the same crimes Lapseng committed?

    • %
      July 28, 2017

      Anon,your wicked osul,and your accomplished accomplice of evil,stop bursting your blood vessel,since I am certain that Skerrit wont sent you toMartinique.Can you tell the USA what to do when they are ready?..You better sleep with one eye open,and one closed…
      EVIL CANNOT LAST FOREVER!
      I hope Lapseng spoke at length,and the mighty USA has their DOSSIER ready.

    • Oh please!
      July 28, 2017

      O, all these leaders passed / or had dealings with Ng…but – who was he with two weeks before his arrest? Who was he cutting cake with? Who was benefiting from multiple meetings set up by Ng lapseng? WHO GAVE HIM A DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT!!!!

      All those answers will yield one name!

    • Dante Jones
      July 28, 2017

      Don’t play stupid those people had dealings with him years before this whole fiasco however PM Skerrit’s dealings with this man are fairly recent and the circumstances surrounding those dealings are dubious at best.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      July 29, 2017

      Anon, you are a damn liar!

      Show us one photograph of any of the people you mentioned associating with that convicted crook! You are one of there wicked Dominican lying as all of you who defend Roosevelt Skerrit corruption.

      If is one thing I can say about Eugenia Charles if she was corrupt that was known only by her, she was not corrupted. As a matter of fact she introduced the computer pay system, eliminating the opportunity for dead people name to be on the payroll at public works and elsewhere.

      If Edison James was corrupt, he would be richer man after politics, he came out poorer than when he went into politics!

      Shut up Anon, you are a liar, trying to justify Roosevelt Skerrit association with thieves and convicted criminals!

    • Let The Truth Be Known - Original
      July 31, 2017

      You are silly. If you especially reside in a big country, you will know that you meet people, they befriend you and vice versa. You have no clue about their personal lives before you met them. As you get to know them, you may know more about them or maybe not if they are secretive about their personal life. It is the same that happened to those who were innocent and befriended them. What is important they did not lure them or did not get lured into their manner of life.
      Learn to give people credit and cease judging them for what they knew nothing about. This also goes for the PM. Stop giving him a bad name.
      Even though you were in the company of someone whom it was later known is a crook, does not make you a crook. Some of you of little minds or is it wicked minds need to broaden your mind. You are in dire need of godly enlightenment, God’s blessing and graces.

  24. My little take
    July 28, 2017

    1. It is a fact that NG Lap Seng was seen in bed with PM Roosevelt Skerrit, one day before Erika,and I guess that’s why Papa God caused Erika to block him out of DOMINICA so we could all see him naked. 2. It’s a fact that Skerrit was seen in photo signing a document with Lap-Seng that links to the very same thing Lap-Seng was convicted for 3. It is a fact that three weeks later, Lap-Seng and everyone seen in photo above has been arrested except Skerrit. 4. It is a fact that Lap-Seng is now convicted, and I would not be surprised if he enters into a plea deal to reveal some things done in darkness. God is so good that the very same day that Skerrit presented the biggest budget, his good friend NG Lap Seng was convicted! I do not believe PM Skerrit had a good sleep last night and he might have quite a few sleepless nights knowing how other of Lap-Seng entered into a plea deal and NG Lap-Seng night very well follow

  25. Concerned Dominican
    July 28, 2017

    Is this fake news? Hahahahaha

  26. Fake News
    July 28, 2017

    DNO you should not have reported this because you will cause Skerrit, Savarin, Tony and rest of team members to refer to you as FAKE NEWS Reporter. Skerrit now needs to call a press conference to disassociate himself with this convicted Criminal

    • %
      July 28, 2017

      Ha!Ha!Ha!
      Hee!Hee !,Hee!
      SKERRIT MUST GO
      SKERRIT MUST GO
      SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!

    • indira Ghandi
      July 28, 2017

      Time will tell.
      Where is Angelo?
      Can he please do some further i vestigations into this natter for us pleaseeeeeeee?

    • Emile Dominique
      July 28, 2017

      This is not fake news. It was reported in the financial times. But it was a diplomat in the UN, Mr Ashe a diplomat of Antigua who was paid, and a diplomat from the Dominican Republic not Dominica.

      • Me
        July 31, 2017

        Oh Emile, just sit tight and wait. All has not been revealed yet.

    • Let The Truth Be Known - Original
      July 31, 2017

      Some people can make ridiculous comments. What do you mean? It is news and all over the world.

  27. Anonymous
    July 28, 2017

    What have you got to say for yourself Roosevelt? bet eve even loyal Tony can not twist this one. You are on your own my friend. You were cutting the cake with your pal when Erika hit us. Remember?

  28. weh
    July 28, 2017

    Labour Ka Twavay :lol:

  29. LaPlaine Observer
    July 28, 2017

    This is irrefutable evidence that our Diplomatic passports have been circulating in the hands of known criminals. Let the Laborrats call it fake news. They are willing to go down with ship even while it’s sinking.

  30. Looking
    July 28, 2017

    DNO you have been warned of “fake news”! :-D

    • dion
      July 28, 2017

      fake news conveyed by journalistic viruses,who know themselves

      • yes Lord!
        July 28, 2017

        You too is a man- brat child like Trump. When the truth shines bright as the sun – because it exposes wickedness – you cry “Fake News” . Keep on crying but the truth shall be revealed.

  31. ????
    July 28, 2017

    Nonsense DNO!! And to quote President Charlo – this is Fake News!!

    OR is it?

    • %
      July 28, 2017

      I know that the USA has its eyes on the a complices and co conspirators.
      GOOD JOB USA!!!!

      • %
        July 28, 2017

        accomplices and co conspirators

      • Dominican
        July 28, 2017

        @% Another uwp waiting for the day that America will come DA and take out skerrit in office and install them without election :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: look wait you have to wait for that, how long since America eyes on skerrit?

      • Mr. Ben Dover
        July 31, 2017

        to hell with the US who thinks it is the moral police of the world. when its back yard is the dirtiest.

    • yes Lord!
      July 28, 2017

      keep on crying fake news – oh spoil brat child – but the truth will be and is revealed

  32. Queen
    July 28, 2017

    “Another one bites the dust and another one and another one will soon bite the dust.”

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