Former Goldman banker Roger Ng has been accused by U.S. prosecutors of conspiring to launder money and violate an anti-bribery law, with benefits that included $35 million in kickbacks.
U.S. Department of Justice lawyer Brent Wible said that Roger Ng «saw an opportunity to make millions of dollars by cheating, and he took it», according to an opening statement at a Brooklyn federal court trial.
Ng received $35 million in kickbacks from his ex-boss Timothy Leissner, Wible added.
Ng has pleaded not guilty and defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo has said that his client is being used as the «fall guy» for the financial scandal.
«Leissner Uses People»
According to Agnifilo, Ng had no role in the scheme which was perpetrated by Leissner and Malaysian fugitive Jho Low.
He added that the funds which prosecutors called kickbacks actually belong to Ng’s wife through a business venture with Leissner’s ex-wife.
«They're not partners-in-crime. There's a gulf between these two men a mile wide,» Agnifilo said. «Leissner uses people. You will see this time and time again. He is trying to use my client […] to serve his jail time.»
