Exiled Moguls Surface in Israeli Probe

[CHIMO]

Self-exiled media mogul Vladimir Gusinsky and Yukos co-owner Leonid Nevzlin may be questioned in an investigation of what is shaping up to be the biggest money-laundering scandal in Israel's history, officials said Tuesday.

Israeli police on Sunday raided a Tel Aviv branch of Hapoalim bank that specializes in working with foreigners, many of whom come from former Soviet republics.

In addition to Gusinsky and Nevzlin, the branch's 200 clients include Russian businessman Arkady Gaidamak and Israel's ambassador to Britain, Zvi Heifetz, who once worked for Gusinsky, Israeli media reported.

Until 2000, Israel had a reputation of being a relatively safe haven for money laundering. But the country has put considerable effort into changing that and has toughened banking regulations and set up a special agency to monitor banking activities.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/03/09/002.html

[EC]

1. I saw this earlier in an Indian paper website.....n/t

[bemildred]

2. They should not have messed with Pooty-Poot.

But it's interesting that this mess is being excavated now.