Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Britain froze £60.2m linked to alleged swindler Allen Stanford within five hours of a request from the United States Department of Justice, anti-corruption officials said today.
Stanford spent last night in a Texas jail after prosecutors told a federal judge he would likely flee the country rather than face life in prison if released on bail.
US District Judge David Hittner has said he will decide by this afternoon at the earliest whether to overturn an earlier court ruling that Stanford should be freed until his trial in return for a $500,000 bond.
The once high-flying billionaire and sports promoter, who faces life in prison if convicted of all 21 criminal charges against him in relation to a $7 billion Ponzi scheme, last week pleaded not guilty.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said today that it had obtained a restraining order on assets believed to be held by financial institutions in London on 7 April.
"These funds were allegedly acquired in connection with a suspected $7bn investment fraud scheme operated by Stanford," the SFO said in a statement.
The SFO said it felt able to release details of action taken by British authorities because Stanford had now been taken into FBI custody as part of a criminal investigation.
SFO Director Richard Alderman said he was determined such cross-border support for U.S. authorities became routine.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments