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U.S. Sues Equatorial Guinea Dictator's Son for Extensive Corruption

Mary Slosson |
October 25, 2011 | 7:44 p.m. PDT

Executive Editor

Secretary-General Meets President of Equatorial Guinea at Addis Ababa Luncheon in January 2011 (Photo Courtesy United Nations)
Secretary-General Meets President of Equatorial Guinea at Addis Ababa Luncheon in January 2011 (Photo Courtesy United Nations)

The son of Equatorial Guinea's longstanding dictator was sued for $71 million in ill-gotten gains by the United States Department of Justice on Tuesday, including a Gulfstream jet, a Malibu mansion and nearly $2 million worth of Michael Jackson memorabilia.

Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue -- son of Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mbasogo, the president of Equatorial Guinea -- used his position and influence to acquire criminal proceeds through corruption and money laundering, in violation of both Equatoguinean and U.S. law, according to two complaints filed by the Department of Justice.

“While his people struggled, he lived the high life," said Assistant Attorney General Breuer in a statement. “The complaints announced today allege that, on a modest government salary, Minister Nguema amassed wealth of over $100 million."

Two civil lawsuits, filed in California and the District of Columbia, seek to recover some of those assets and return them to the people of Equatorial Guinea, according to the court documents.

The U.S. is seeking forfeiture of 24 cars worth $9.68 million, stored at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California -- including a Maserati, two Bugatti Veyrons, eight Ferraris, seven Rolls Royces, five Bentleys, two Lamborghinis, and more, according to the court documents. They are also seeking high-speed boats, Nguema's Malibu mansion, and his Gulfstream G-V.

“This investigation was initiated by ICE Homeland Security Investigations in an effort to identify Teodoro Nguema Obiang’s assets in the United States after he was suspected of obtaining his wealth from alleged illicit activities such as the misappropriation of public funds, theft, extortion and embezzlement of the nation’s natural resources,” said ICE Director Morton in a statement.

The reign of his father has been so brutal over the past thirty years that Equatorial Guinea has been nicknamed "the Auschwitz of Africa," according to CBS News.

The French government seized 11 supercars in September that belonged to Obiang, including two Bugatti Veyrons and a Maserati.

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