Seizure and Forfeiture in Rem Brought against Lobbyist for African Countries

On May 9, 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section brought a civil forfeiture in rem case against bank accounts in which Joseph Szlavik, a lobbyist, controlled.  The complaint alleges that the funds totalling $475,405.21 in six bank accounts are the proceeds of an unlicensed international money transmitting business in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1960, and constitute property involved in a transaction in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1856(a)(1)(1) and 1957.