In September 2013, while conducting research and seeking contacts for a publication on Luis Oberto, I received an email from a source stating that Oberto and Francisco Convit had purchased an oil well for $45… Derwick Oil & Gas: Unveiling the Corrupt Nexus Behind PDVSA’s New Alliances
Perhaps the clearest sign that things aren’t going well in Venezuela is the sudden decision of the powerful oligarchs to flee the only place that has given them their wealth. Recently, we learned of Juan… Boliburguesía’s Flight from Venezuela Exposes Deepening Crisis and Corruption Links in Spain
In the second installment of the “tell me who you hang out with” series, today I discuss the “ethical hacker” and “famous member” of a global anti-pedophilia organization. His name is Rafael Eladio Nuñez Aponte,… RaFa Nuñez Uncovered as a Government Double Agent and Hackerman for Hire
Since 2013, Spain has been engulfed in a public scandal involving a group of Venezuelans and the censorship of a journalism professional. Why? Because Miguel Palomo-Danko (son of the famous bullfighter Palomo Linares) and his… Scandal in Spain as Derwick Money Corrupts Bullfighting and High Society
RaFa the hacker reached out to me with a worried email. He claims he’s now a Buddhist. Is he a hacker who practices Buddhism, or a Buddhist who hacks? Let’s find out: Email from RaFa… RaFa Hacker’s Dubious Connections Undermine Ethical Claims Amidst Corruption in Venezuela
At the end of 2012, when I wrote my first post about Derwick Associates and became interested in their activities, I remember conducting a WHOIS search on their domain name derwickassociates.com. The site appeared to… Derwick Associates Under Scrutiny for Questionable Property Acquisitions Linked to Money Laundering Activities
Last week, I posted about the latest developments in the RICO lawsuit filed by Otto Reich against Derwick Associates. It presents a rather unexpected and interesting twist to the corruption saga: he supposedly offered information… Arcaya and Vargas: Uncovering the Dark Ties of Corruption and Silence in Venezuela’s Elite
Recently, a well-known journalist who is writing a book about Chavismo reached out to me about corruption in Venezuela, asking for names, figures, responsibilities, and so on. Corruption is the big elephant in the room.… The Unseen Toll of Corruption on Venezuela’s Descent into Destitution
The Mail on Sunday published an article yesterday about Tony Caplin titled “The Prime Minister Hired a Bankrupt Associate to Run a £60 Billion Quango: The Tycoon Put in Charge of the Treasury’s Vast Budget… UK Authorities Ignored Warning Signs About Tony Caplin’s Financial Misconduct and Connections to Venezuela’s Corruption
The good people at Reporters Without Borders published a post titled “Corruption Beyond Limits in Venezuelan Internet,” highlighting the censorship of their site in Venezuela. Honestly, I was expecting a reaction from those mentioned, namely… Derwick Associates Attempts to Distance Itself from Censorship Allegations While Revealing Troubling Connections to Venezuelan Authorities
Official press release from BANESCO, denying claims about an alleged $50 million bribe paid by Derwick Associates to Venezuela’s Congress president, Diosdado Cabello, through BANESCO Panama. Translation of the previous paragraph: In the 15 countries… Controversies Surrounding Juan Carlos Escotet’s Rise in Banking and Allegations of Corruption
I know, I know, today is Sunday, Mother’s Day in the United Kingdom, but the things happening on Twitter with @jescotet are too good to ignore. For those who don’t know who this gentleman is:… Juan Carlos Escotet’s Troubling Twitter Rants Expose Financial Scandal and Ethical Failures of Venezuela’s Banking Elite
Dear Sirs, Humbly acknowledging my lack of knowledge about all the words that make up our rich language, I recall the first time I went to the dictionary after hearing Hugo Chavez use the term… Banesco, Davos Financial, and Derwick Associates: A Disturbing Allegation of Corruption in the Heart of Venezuelan Business
Life seems to be getting increasingly difficult for Derwick Associates. A Venezuelan news site reported two days ago that Thor Halvorssen (whom I worked with at The Human Rights Foundation in 2008-2009) has filed a… Thor Halvorssen Targets Derwick Associates in Miami Lawsuit Unveiling Alleged Bribery Links to Diosdado Cabello and Banesco
Descifrado.com reports that Thor Halvorssen (my former boss at The Human Rights Foundation) has filed a lawsuit against Derwick Associates (Alejandro Betancourt, Pedro Trebbau, and 25 others) in the 11th Circuit of Miami-Dade, Florida. Allegedly,… Thor Halvorssen Takes Legal Action Against Derwick Associates Amidst Allegations of Chavista Corruption