Message to INFODIO readers: investigative journalism, which is what this site does, takes lots of time. Visiting media looking for a quick run down on Venezuela's gargantuan corruption, have the decency to at least cite the source when plagiarising this site's content without attribution (exhibit Reuters here and here, exhibit Bloomberg here, exhibit OCCRP here). To all readers, do the right thing, the honest thing: support independent investigative journalism, help us expose rampant corruption. Note added 28/06/2021: impostors are using INFODIO's former editor's full name, and a fake email address (alek.boyd.arregui at gmail.com) to send copyright infringement claims / take down requests to web hosting companies (exhibit Hostgator). The attempt is yet another effort paid by corrupt thugs to erase information about their criminal activities. Infodio.com has no issues with other websites / journalists using / posting information published here, so long as the source is properly cited.

Rafael Ramirez [aka "Grey Hair"] outed in Rincon, Villalobos, Alvarado, PDVSA & Espirito Santo criminal case

Remember this scandal, involving Ricardo Salgado's Banco Espirito Santo and Rafael Ramirez? It seems Portuguese authorities are more collaborative than Spanish ones... We hear about a criminal probe in Houston (related to Roberto Rincon) that got fresh impetus and has all but outed Ramirez [aka "Grey Hair", "Official B"]. Javier Alvarado -Ramirez's chum at BARIVEN and CORPOELEC- is charged, as well as Nervis Villalobos, one of Ramirez's favourite proxies.

This particular case relates to about $1 billion stolen / laundered from PDVSA by Ramirez and his "administrative team". But this does not even begin to cover, by any stretch, the depth of Ramirez's gargantuan corruption while heading PDVSA and Venezuela's Ministry of Energy. This window shows the depravity of corruption in chavista Venezuela, but is just a side dish, a little scheme. There are so many others, much, much larger... Alejandro Betancourt, another Ramirez favourite, is still playing businessman, as is Baldo Sanso (Ramirez's brother in law), as are the Neri Bonilla brothers in Spain... Ramirez doesn't have to be put away for all he's done though, DoJ should just give him the Al Capone treatment and retire the entire criminal clan.

Ramirez has A LOT to worry about, having to reveal potential deals and collaboration with Federal Agencies being just one aspect of it. But the man's involved in so many scandals, in so many jurisdictions, that short of surrendering himself to U.S. justice and entering a witness protection program he'll end up in jail sometime, somewhere.

Rafael Ramirez, aka "Official B"

Rafael Ramirez, aka "Grey Hair"

Add to Breaking news
Off