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Home News Former Goldman Sachs Banker Charged with Bribing Ghanaian Officials Extradited to the United States from the United Kingdom
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Former Goldman Sachs Banker Charged with Bribing Ghanaian Officials Extradited to the United States from the United Kingdom

07/11/2025

Background

At a 5 November hearing, lawyers for Asante Kwaku Berko, a former Goldman Sachs executive and ex-Managing Director of Ghana’s Tema Oil Refinery, pressed an FBI agent to explain why it took nearly two years to unseal Berko’s indictment on charges of bribing Ghanaian officials on behalf of a Turkish energy company. The case falls under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and involves alleged money laundering through U.S. financial systems. [lexology.com]

Timeline of Events

  • 2014–2017: Berko allegedly conspired with others to pay bribes exceeding $70,000 to Ghanaian officials to secure a power plant deal for a Turkish energy company. Payments were routed through U.S. bank accounts. [fintelegram.com]
  • Aug 2020: A sealed indictment was filed in the Eastern District of New York, charging Berko with FCPA violations and money laundering. [courtlistener.com]
  • Nov 3, 2022: Berko was arrested in the United Kingdom under an Interpol notice and extradited to the U.S. in July 2024. [myjoyonline.com]
  • Nov 2022: The indictment was finally unsealed after U.S. prosecutors applied for disclosure, citing international coordination needs. [courtlistener.com]
  • Nov 2025 Hearing: FBI testimony revealed delays were due to complex cross-border investigations, extradition negotiations, and safeguarding evidence integrity. [lexology.com]

Charges and Potential Penalties

Berko faces:

  • One count of conspiracy to violate the FCPA
  • One count of violating the FCPA
  • One count of conspiracy to commit money laundering
    If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison for money laundering and five years for each FCPA-related charge. [fintelegram.com]

Why the Delay?

According to FBI testimony, the two-year gap between indictment and unsealing was driven by:

  • International extradition complexities involving the UK and INTERPOL.
  • Ongoing evidence collection across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Risk of flight and asset concealment if the indictment was disclosed prematurely. [lexology.com]

Broader Implications

The case underscores the challenges of cross-border anti-corruption enforcement and the growing scrutiny of financial institutions and executives under the FCPA. U.S. authorities reaffirmed their commitment to prosecuting bribery schemes that exploit global banking systems. [justice.gov]

Further Reading

 

 

LEGAL MONEY LAUNDERING CORRUPTION UNITED KINGDOM

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As well as owning and publishing Comsure's copyrighted works, Comsure wishes to use the copyright-protected works of others. To do so, Comsure is applying for exemptions in the UK copyright law. There are certain very specific situations where Comsure is permitted to do so without seeking permission from the owner. These exemptions are in the copyright sections of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (as amended)[www.gov.UK/government/publications/copyright-acts-and-related-laws]. Many situations allow for Comsure to apply for exemptions. These include 1] Non-commercial research and private study, 2] Criticism, review and reporting of current events, 3] the copying of works in any medium as long as the use is to illustrate a point. 4] no posting is for commercial purposes [payment]. (for a full list of exemptions, please read here www.gov.uk/guidance/exceptions-to-copyright]. Concerning the exceptions, Comsure will acknowledge the work of the source author by providing a link to the source material. Comsure claims no ownership of non-Comsure content. The non-Comsure articles posted on the Comsure website are deemed important, relevant, and newsworthy to a Comsure audience (e.g. regulated financial services and professional firms [DNFSBs]). Comsure does not wish to take any credit for the publication, and the publication can be read in full in its original form if you click the articles link that always accompanies the news item. Also, Comsure does not seek any payment for highlighting these important articles. If you want any article removed, Comsure will automatically do so on a reasonable request if you email info@comsuregroup.com.  

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As well as owning and publishing Comsure's copyrighted works, Comsure wishes to use the copyright-protected works of others. To do so, Comsure is applying for exemptions in the UK copyright law. There are certain very specific situations where Comsure is permitted to do so without seeking permission from the owner. These exemptions are in the copyright sections of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (as amended)[www.gov.UK/government/publications/copyright-acts-and-related-laws]. Many situations allow for Comsure to apply for exemptions. These include 1] Non-commercial research and private study, 2] Criticism, review and reporting of current events, 3] the copying of works in any medium as long as the use is to illustrate a point. 4] no posting is for commercial purposes [payment]. (for a full list of exemptions, please read here www.gov.uk/guidance/exceptions-to-copyright]. Concerning the exceptions, Comsure will acknowledge the work of the source author by providing a link to the source material. Comsure claims no ownership of non-Comsure content. The non-Comsure articles posted on the Comsure website are deemed important, relevant, and newsworthy to a Comsure audience (e.g. regulated financial services and professional firms [DNFSBs]). Comsure does not wish to take any credit for the publication, and the publication can be read in full in its original form if you click the articles link that always accompanies the news item. Also, Comsure does not seek any payment for highlighting these important articles. If you want any article removed, Comsure will automatically do so on a reasonable request if you email info@comsuregroup.com.