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'Sheriff of Wall Street' Preet Bharara charges Russian diplomats with fraud
"The scam exploited a weakness in the Medicaid system, and the charges expose shameful and systemic corruption among Russian diplomats in New York," he said.
The U.S. "government values its long-standing relationship with foreign diplomats and diplomatic establishments for cooperation on many issues," said FBI Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos.
"Unfortunately," he said, "some Russian officials in New York allowed these defendants to take advantage of that relationship."
None of the defendants are in custody as they enjoy diplomatic immunity although 11 still reside in the U.S. with six of them representing Russia in New York.
Bharara said he expects the U.S. State Department to request that Russia waive diplomatic immunity for the alleged fraudsters.
If Russia refuses, as is likely, the State Department could request that the defendants still in the U.S. leave the country.
In Washington, State Department spokesperson Marie Harf said they were still "reviewing the charges" and "We're not yet in a position to speak to the types of specifics about what might happen. Obviously, there is a legal procedure that will be unfolding from this point."
Asked if the issue would affect U.S. ties with Russia, she said: "I think the relationship is much bigger and deeper and broader and more complicated than that."
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Source: IANS
