This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8109690.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
Stanford charged with fraud in US Stanford charged with fraud in US
(about 1 hour later)
Texan billionaire Sir Allen Stanford has been charged in the US with fraud and obstruction.Texan billionaire Sir Allen Stanford has been charged in the US with fraud and obstruction.
Announcing the indictment, the justice department said it related to a $7bn scheme to defraud investors.Announcing the indictment, the justice department said it related to a $7bn scheme to defraud investors.
Soon after, the 59-year-old appeared in court in Virginia. He had turned himself in to the FBI on Thursday after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Soon after, the 59-year-old appeared in court in Virginia and was remanded in custody pending a full detention hearing to be held in Texas.
He already faces civil charges over an alleged fraud worth $8bn (£6bn) - charges he denies.He already faces civil charges over an alleged fraud worth $8bn (£6bn) - charges he denies.
Sir Allen had turned himself in to the FBI on Thursday after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
'Too good to be true''Too good to be true'
Sir Allen and six others are facing charges.Sir Allen and six others are facing charges.
He is confident that a fair jury will find him not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing Dick DeGuerin,Sir Allen's lawyer,He is confident that a fair jury will find him not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing Dick DeGuerin,Sir Allen's lawyer,
The justice department said the 50-page indictment accused Sir Allen and some of the other alleged co-conspirators of engaging in a scheme to defraud investors who purchased $7bn in certificates of deposit from Stanford International Bank, located in Antigua.The justice department said the 50-page indictment accused Sir Allen and some of the other alleged co-conspirators of engaging in a scheme to defraud investors who purchased $7bn in certificates of deposit from Stanford International Bank, located in Antigua.
It said they "promised returns that were too good to be true".It said they "promised returns that were too good to be true".
US Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer said: "The indictment charges Stanford with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and securities fraud: seven counts of wire fraud, 10 counts of mail fraud, conspiracy to obstruct an investigation for the Securities and Exchange Commission, obstruction of an investigation by the SEC and conspiracy to commit money laundering."US Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer said: "The indictment charges Stanford with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and securities fraud: seven counts of wire fraud, 10 counts of mail fraud, conspiracy to obstruct an investigation for the Securities and Exchange Commission, obstruction of an investigation by the SEC and conspiracy to commit money laundering."
If convicted on all counts, Sir Allen could face up to 250 years in prison.If convicted on all counts, Sir Allen could face up to 250 years in prison.
Sir Allen hosted a $20m cricket extravaganza in Antigua last yearSir Allen hosted a $20m cricket extravaganza in Antigua last year
A few hours after the announcement, Sir Allen appeared in court in Richmond, Virginia.A few hours after the announcement, Sir Allen appeared in court in Richmond, Virginia.
He told Magistrate M Hannah Lauck he understood the charges against him. The BBC's Greg Wood in Richmond says Sir Allen wore an open-necked white shirt and stood in court as the 21 charges against him were read out.
Asked to comment on the issue, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said: "Whether it's this indictment or previous indictments... There are those whose outsized greed robbed millions of people of their savings." He told Magistrate M Hannah Lauck he understood the charges but he was not asked to enter a plea.
Sir Allen's lawyers argued for his release pending the trial but the prosecution said he had spun a web of deceit over 10 years and there was a danger he might flee.
The judge ordered Sir Allen be held pending a full detention hearing, saying there was "sufficient evidence to warrant" one. Sir Allen chose to have the hearing in Houston, Texas.
Asked to comment on the issue earlier, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said: "Whether it's this indictment or previous indictments... There are those whose outsized greed robbed millions of people of their savings."
The other Stanford Financial Group executives charged are Laura Pendergest-Holt, 35, Gilberto Lopez, 66, and Mark Kuhrt, 37.The other Stanford Financial Group executives charged are Laura Pendergest-Holt, 35, Gilberto Lopez, 66, and Mark Kuhrt, 37.
The indictment also said Sir Allen made corrupt payments to Leroy King, 63, a former head of Antigua's financial services regulatory commission, who has also been charged.The indictment also said Sir Allen made corrupt payments to Leroy King, 63, a former head of Antigua's financial services regulatory commission, who has also been charged.
Stanford employee Bruce Perraud, 42, has been charged with destruction of records.Stanford employee Bruce Perraud, 42, has been charged with destruction of records.
A separate indictment charged Stanford executive James M Davis, 60, with fraud and obstruction.A separate indictment charged Stanford executive James M Davis, 60, with fraud and obstruction.
'Ponzi' denial'Ponzi' denial
Dick DeGuerin, Sir Allen's lawyer, has said his client will fight the allegations.Dick DeGuerin, Sir Allen's lawyer, has said his client will fight the allegations.
WHAT IS A PONZI SCHEME? A fraudulent investment scheme paying investors from money paid in by other investors rather than real profitsNamed after Charles Ponzi who notoriously used the technique in the United States in the 1920s Differs from pyramid selling in that individuals all tend to invest with the same person Profile: Sir Allen StanfordWHAT IS A PONZI SCHEME? A fraudulent investment scheme paying investors from money paid in by other investors rather than real profitsNamed after Charles Ponzi who notoriously used the technique in the United States in the 1920s Differs from pyramid selling in that individuals all tend to invest with the same person Profile: Sir Allen Stanford
"He is confident that a fair jury will find him not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing," Mr DeGuerin said."He is confident that a fair jury will find him not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing," Mr DeGuerin said.
He said his client had surrendered on Thursday "to some FBI agents who were hiding out in black SUVs outside the residence where he was staying in Virginia".
"He walked out and asked if they had a warrant," Mr DeGuerin said.
In 2006 Sir Allen became the first American to be knighted by Antigua and Barbuda.In 2006 Sir Allen became the first American to be knighted by Antigua and Barbuda.
The cricket impresario in 2008 staged a $20m, winner-takes-all match between a West Indian XI and England at his stadium in Antigua.The cricket impresario in 2008 staged a $20m, winner-takes-all match between a West Indian XI and England at his stadium in Antigua.
The SEC has said he lured investors with promises of improbable and unsubstantiated high returns on certificates of deposit and other investments - what is known as a Ponzi scheme.The SEC has said he lured investors with promises of improbable and unsubstantiated high returns on certificates of deposit and other investments - what is known as a Ponzi scheme.
In an interview with ABC earlier this year Sir Allen insisted no money was lost by customers dealing with his financial services companies.In an interview with ABC earlier this year Sir Allen insisted no money was lost by customers dealing with his financial services companies.
"If it was a Ponzi scheme, why are they finding billions and billions of dollars all over the place?" he said at the time."If it was a Ponzi scheme, why are they finding billions and billions of dollars all over the place?" he said at the time.
A number of governments have frozen the assets associated with Stanford banks.A number of governments have frozen the assets associated with Stanford banks.