A Chinese millionaire who once purchased access to the Clinton White House was arrested by the FBI last weekend for lying about money he brought into the U.S., ABC News reports.
Macau real estate mogul Ng Lap Seng was arrested for lying about the use of $4.5 million he brought into the U.S. over the course of two years. Ng said the money was intended for art and gambling, though the FBI alleges it was funneled to an unidentified business associate in Queens, New York.
This is not the first time Ng has run afoul of U.S. authorities. According to a 1998 Senate report, Ng purchased access "to the highest levels" of government by contributing $220,000 in foreign funds to the Democratic National Committee. This money was laundered through Little Rock, Arkansas-based restaurateur Yah Lin "Charlie" Trie.
The DNC ultimately returned the money, but not before Ng and Trie were rewarded with multiple trips to the White House and DNC-sponsored events with President Bill Clinton. According to the report, Trie was also appointed to the Commission on U.S.-Pacific Trade and Investment Policy despite being unqualified for the position.
Trie surrendered to FBI agents in 1998 and pled guilty to violating campaign finance laws. Ng was never charged with a crime.
Ng’s arrest last weekend will draw unwanted attention to the decade-old scandal, reminding voters of the Clinton’s long list of money-related scandals.
Parallels may be drawn with the more recent scandal surrounding the Clinton Foundation. It is alleged that foreign governments and corporations funneled millions to the foundation to influence the decision-making of then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.