Corruption conviction in Macau
April 22, 2009 - 8:38 am
Macau public officials can teach Southern Nevada’s esteemed
politicians a thing or two about corruption. Former Macau minister Ao
Min-long was sentenced this week to 28.5 years in prison for ripping
massive bribes connected to, drum roll please, casino construction on
the island.
According to Agence France-Presse, Ao generated an amazing $100
million in graft in seven short years, which might be a record for
Macau. Ao’s corruption appears to have been linked to casino projects
run by Melco Crown Entertainment, a company led by Lawrence Ho, son of
Macau casino mogul Stanley Ho, and James Packer, scion of the late
Australia gaming billionaire Kerry Packer. The casino company wasn’t
implicated in any wrongdoing.