The Justice Department has opened a formal
criminal investigation into potentially widespread illegalities exposed
by the Panama Papers, the massive leak of financial details about secret
offshore accounts, federal law enforcement officials told NBC News
Wednesday -- and its first priority will be finding wrongdoing by U.S.
firms and individuals.
The U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, Preet Bharara,
sent a letter to the International Consortium of Investigative
Journalists (ICIJ), which has led a worldwide effort to report on
suspected money laundering, tax evasion and other criminal activity
exposed in the documents.
In his brief letter, Bharara said his office --
which has jurisdiction over many of the world's largest banks and
financial firms -- has "opened a criminal investigation regarding
matters to which the Panama Papers are relevant." The letter was dated
April 3, the day ICIJ published its findings.
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Source: NBC News
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