Macau Billionaire Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Role in Scheme to Bribe UN Ambassadors
A Macau real estate developer has been sentenced to 48 months in prison for his role in a scheme to bribe United Nations ambassadors to obtain support for a multibillion-dollar conference center in Macau.
Ng Lap Seng, also known as David Ng, the chairman of the Sun Kian Ip Group, was convicted on July 27, 2017, of two counts of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, one count of paying bribes and gratuities, one count of money laundering, and two counts of conspiracy.
The scheme involved bribing Francis Lorenzo, a former UN Ambassador from the Dominican Republic, and John W. Ashe, the late former Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the UN and the 68th President of the UN General Assembly.
Ng paid the ambassadors in a variety of forms, including appointing Lorenzo as the president of South-South News, a New York-based organization funded by Ng, which described itself as a media platform dedicated to advancing the implementation of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.
The trial evidence showed that Ng bribed the ambassadors in exchange for their agreement to use their official positions to advance Ng’s interest in obtaining formal UN support for the Macau Conference Center.
Ng was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick on May 25, 2018.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Geoffrey S. Berman, said: ‘Billionaire Ng Lap Seng corrupted the highest levels of the United Nations in pursuit of a multibillion-dollar real estate deal in Macau. Ng exploited a center for international diplomacy as an instrument for his greedy intentions. This Office is committed to policing official corruption wherever it may be found.’
Ng’s sentence serves as a reminder that no one stands above the law, and corruption will be punished accordingly.
Ng Lap Seng, also known as David Ng, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for his role in a scheme to bribe UN ambassadors.
Ng was convicted of the following crimes: two counts of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, one count of paying bribes and gratuities, one count of money laundering, and two counts of conspiracy.
The scheme involved bribing UN ambassadors to obtain support for a multibillion-dollar conference center in Macau.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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