Chilean Judge Questions Pinochet on Riggs Bank Money

A Chilean judge has questioned former dictator Augusto Pinochet about secret U.S. bank accounts worth up to $8 million, a member of Pinochet's legal defense said on Friday. It was the first time Pinochet, 88, has appeared before a judge since the Supreme Court ruled in 2001 he was mentally incompetent to stand trial in a landmark human rights case. Gen Pinochet, 88, was questioned at his home about 10 days ago after agreeing to testify, a member of his legal team told reporters. It was his first interview with a judge since being ruled unfit to stand trial over human rights violations in 2001.While Pinochet has long been accused of human rights abuses, the discovery of the U.S. accounts prompted the first accusations of corruption. Pinochet's family and lawyers have denied he stole public monies. [more ] and [more ]

• Connection- Jonathan Bush and Riggs?: Jonathan Bush, President Bush's uncle, was appointed CEO of Riggs Bank's investment arm in May of 2000, just months after his nephew secured the nomination for the presidency. At the time of the appointment, Jonathan Bush had already become a major financial backer of his nephew, rising to "Bush Pioneer" status by raising more than $100,000 for his nephew in 2000. [more ]
• Last Month Senate investigators concluded that Riggs Bank, "courted business from former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and helped him hide millions of dollars in assets from international prosecutors." The revelations come just weeks after "the bank agreed to pay $25 million in civil penalties for what federal regulators called 'willful, systemic' violation of anti-money-laundering laws in its dealings with the embassies of Saudi Arabia and Equatorial Guinea." [more ]