Summary
The U.S. Department of Justice is returning approximately $2.5 million in corruption proceeds to the Republic of The Gambia to compensate eligible victims of the regime of former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh.
The funds came from the sale of a mansion in Potomac, Maryland, that the DOJ said Yahya Jammeh and his wife, Zineb Jammeh, purchased using criminal proceeds and misappropriated Gambian public funds.
The property was forfeited and liquidated by the United States in a civil forfeiture case. The sale generated $2,507,911.73 in net proceeds, which will be returned to The Gambia under an agreement between the two governments.
Key details at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Amount being returned | Approximately $2.5 million |
| Exact net proceeds | $2,507,911.73 |
| Recipient | Republic of The Gambia |
| Purpose | Compensation for eligible victims of the Jammeh regime |
| Former president | Yahya Jammeh |
| Property location | Potomac, Maryland |
| Property | 9908 Bentcross Drive |
| Property action | Forfeited and liquidated by DOJ |
| Legal mechanism | Civil asset forfeiture |
| Relevant law | Gambian Victims Reparations Act of 2023 |
| Main investigating agency | Homeland Security Investigations |
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DOJ returns proceeds from Potomac mansion
The DOJ said Yahya Jammeh and his wife, Zineb Jammeh, used criminal proceeds and misappropriated Gambian public funds to purchase the Potomac mansion for their personal use.
The United States later forfeited and liquidated the property through the case United States v. Real Property Located in Potomac, MD, Commonly Known as 9908 Bentcross Drive, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
The property sale generated $2,507,911.73 in net proceeds for return to The Gambia.
Alleged corruption proceeds
According to the complaint cited by the DOJ, Yahya Jammeh obtained millions of dollars through the alleged embezzlement of public funds and solicitation of bribes from businesses seeking monopoly rights in different sectors of the Gambian economy.
The DOJ also said Jammeh worked with family members and close associates to use shell companies and overseas trusts to launder corruption proceeds internationally.
These allegations formed part of the basis for the U.S. asset forfeiture action involving the Potomac property.
$2.5 million to compensate victims
The recovered money will not remain in the United States.
Under an agreement with The Gambia, the country will use the returned funds to compensate eligible victims of the Jammeh regime.
Eligibility will be determined under the Gambian Victims Reparations Act of 2023, which was established to benefit people harmed by acts of corruption and abuse of office attributed to former President Jammeh.
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How the recovered funds will be used
The DOJ said the process involves:
- Forfeiture of the Potomac property in the United States.
- Liquidation and sale of the property.
- Recovery of $2,507,911.73 in net proceeds.
- Transfer of the proceeds to The Gambia.
- Compensation of eligible victims under the Gambian reparations framework.
This makes the case an example of cross-border asset recovery involving alleged foreign corruption proceeds.
US agencies investigate foreign corruption proceeds
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) through its Illicit Proceeds and Foreign Corruption Group in Miami.
HSI Baltimore and the HSI Attaché Office in Dakar also assisted with the investigation.
The DOJ said the group was established in 2003 to investigate the laundering of proceeds connected to foreign public corruption, bribery and embezzlement.
HSI’s stated objective is to prevent foreign-derived illicit funds from entering or moving through the U.S. financial system.
Agencies that assisted the case
The DOJ said substantial assistance came from:
- Government of The Gambia
- U.S. Department of Justice Office of International Affairs (OIA)
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. Department of the Treasury
- HSI Baltimore
- HSI Attaché Office in Dakar
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The case was handled by Trial Attorneys Steven Parker and Kaycee Sullivan of the DOJ Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section.
DOJ highlights cross-border asset recovery
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division said the case demonstrates international cooperation in pursuing individuals who attempt to conceal illicit proceeds through the U.S. financial system.
The DOJ said returning the forfeited funds to The Gambia demonstrates its efforts to recover assets taken through violations of the rule of law and return them for the benefit of victims through a lawful process.
HSI Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon said the agency remains focused on preventing corrupt foreign officials from using the United States to hide, move or enjoy proceeds linked to bribery, embezzlement and abuse of office.
HSI has seized more than $500 million linked to foreign corruption
The DOJ said HSI’s Miami Illicit Proceeds and Foreign Corruption Investigations Group has seized more than $500 million in ill-gotten gains traced to foreign corruption since the group’s establishment.
The group’s work includes investigations involving foreign officials, cross-border money laundering and the use of U.S. financial institutions to move or conceal corruption proceeds.
The DOJ’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section also handles criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving international money laundering and foreign official corruption.
To read the original order please visit Department of Justice (DOJ) website