News Panama Papers - Huge tax leak exposes Putin aides, world leaders, stars

[Greg Bernhardt]

The Panama Papers are likely a politically motivated CIA operation.
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/04/12/swiss-banker-whistleblower-cia-behind-panama-papers.html

One man's opinion who is behind bars.

 

[Borg]

One man's opinion who is behind bars.

I think that he's out now. The picture is dated 2009 and the article says that he only served two years.

 

[Astronuc]

The BBC link cited by OmCheeto leads to another - http://www.bbc.com/news/world-35954224

The BBC does not know the identity of the source but the firm says it has been the victim of a hack from servers based abroad.

I've seen one story that implicated the CIA or CIA affiliates in the documents, i.e., the CIA or national security agencies would use off-shore accounts to hide transfers of money for various activities, e.g., paying informants, financing arms deals, etc.

 

[zoobyshoe]

I've seen one story that implicated the CIA or CIA affiliates in the documents, i.e., the CIA or national security agencies would use off-shore accounts to hide transfers of money for various activities, e.g., paying informants, financing arms deals, etc.

This would make sense in terms of the 'oddball' theory I linked to earlier, but which may not be oddball in the final analysis:

He [William C. Gaddy] believes the Russians leaked the information as a message directed at the Americans and other western political leaders — the ones whose information was not contained in the leaks.

“The message is: ‘We have information on your financial misdeeds, too. You know we do. We can keep them secret if you work with us’,” Gaddy writes.

“In other words, the individuals mentioned in the documents are not the targets. The ones who are not mentioned are the targets.”

Gaddy points out that if the goal was really to damage Putin in an information war, the result was “pathetic”.

“Despite the headlines, there is no evidence of Putin’s direct involvement — not in any company involved in the leak, much less in criminal activity, theft, tax evasion, or money laundering,” he writes...

...While the Panama Papers stories “run off Putin like water off a duck’s back”, the leaked data will lead to scandals throughout the west, where “corruption does matter”.

http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/conspiracy-theory-suggests-putin-was-behind-panama-papers-leak/news-story/4d40bb78280f3d2e9cda4a4d77fdad79

It makes sense at least, the idea of Putin engaging in some global blackmail. The CIA or NSA could well be targets if they had hidden offshore assets with no accountability. The president of Iceland and Cameron would serve as the proof he is willing to damage people, proof it's not a bluff.

Gaddy, the originator of this theory, is "an economist specialising in Russia, a senior fellow in foreign policy at the respected Brookings Insitute thinktank, and the co-author of a number of books including Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin." So, he's got some credentials.

At this point "John Doe" is such a complete unknown that I wouldn't rule anything out. He/she could be anyone with any possible agenda.

 

[OmCheeto]

Bastian has been tweeting/joking about the "conspiracy theories" since the 8th.
[Edited for brevity]

Bastian Obermayer ‏@b_obermayer Apr 8
Finally @VICE found out what's really behind #panamapapers. All 5 explanations are true. This is embarrassing.

A Conspiracy Theorist's Guide to the Panama Papers [Vice]
By Harry Cheadle, Senior Editor
April 7, 2016

1. All Those Attacks on Putin Are Pure Media Bias
2. The Panama Papers Are a US Hit Operation on Russia
3. The CIA Is Behind Everything
4. George Soros Is a Puppet Master
5. The Mossad Is Behind Everything, or Something

He actually had to explain that he was joking:

In reply to Joumana Gebara
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/634656409066565632/MME6EUXH_bigger.jpg Bastian Obermayer ‏@b_obermayer Apr 8
@JoumanaGebara @VICE I assume Vice is not really thinking this. #parody​

And it only got worse

Bastian Obermayer ‏@b_obermayer Apr 10
Now it's really getting complicated. Is #Putin himself behind the leak? The big puppet master? Worth reading!

The not-completely-crazy theory that Russia leaked the Panama Papers [The Washington Post]​

From an interview with Bastian and Frederik, it sounds like Mossack Fonseca thought it was someone working at the company:
Fast forward to 3:20 in the video interview

Bastian Obermayer Retweeted
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/674660723235102720/lEwJFHDt_bigger.jpg Mick Krever ‏@mickbk Apr 11
How nail polish helped keep the "Panama Papers" secret. @b_obermayer & @f_obermaier tell @fpleitgenCNN:

The journalists who broke 'Panama Papers' [CNN video interview]​

Unless of course, you want to know the story about the "nail polish", and then you should watch the whole thing. It's only 11 minutes long.

ps. I'd have shared this information earlier, but I was under the impression that mentioning conspiracy theories was forbidden here at the forum.

 

[zoobyshoe]

ps. I'd have shared this information earlier, but I was under the impression that mentioning conspiracy theories was forbidden here at the forum.

It's not a conspiracy theory until a good explanation is known and vetted.

 

[Dotini]

I cautiously submit the Panama Papers may well be a classic, textbook example of the "limited hangout". In this case, they are designed to inoculate prominent US persons soon to be exposed as users of offshore banking and hidden assets. Poor Mr Cameron has suffered unintended collateral damage.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_hangout

 

[OmCheeto]

It's not a conspiracy theory until a good explanation is known and vetted.

You just made that up...

(I know this, as wiki doesn't use the term "vetted". )

A conspiracy theory is an explanatory or speculative hypothesis suggesting that two or more persons, or an organization, have conspired to cause or cover up, through secret planning and deliberate action, an event or situation typically regarded as illegal or harmful.
...

hmm... This sounds like a double conspiracy theory to me, for some reason...

1. The Panama Papers have uncovered a 40 year long conspiracy, inspired by ABBA.
2. People now are making up whackadoodle explanations as to why conspiracy #1 is just now being exposed.

 

[zoobyshoe]

You just made that up...

(I know this, as wiki doesn't use the term "vetted". )

What I mean is that it is not a crackpot conspiracy theory, the kind that PF doesn't allow, unless it goes against a well vetted explanation. That the San Bernadino terrorists might have had help from a larger terrorist network is, at this point, only a conspiracy theory. The FBI wants access to the phone to rule it out, so, it's not considered a "crackpot" conspiracy theory.

 

[StevieTNZ]

https://www.gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2016-go2253

"Establishment of the Government Inquiry into Foreign Trust Disclosure Rules"

As a result of the recent release of documents known as the ‘Panama Papers’, concerns have been raised about rules covering foreign trusts registered in New Zealand.

Cabinet has decided to initiate a review of New Zealand’s disclosure rules relating to foreign trusts registered in New Zealand to ensure New Zealand’s reputation is maintained.

 

[OmCheeto]

It looks as though I haven't made an update in about a week.

Some snippets inspired by Bastian's tweets:
[/PLAIN]
1.

[/PLAIN] Panama Papers include one of U.S.’s biggest wartime military contractors
4/13/2016
​

As far as I can tell, this multi-billion dollar company, which I had never heard of, acquired an offshore shell company to; "...avoid paying U.S. taxes, avoid U.S. criminal investigations and jurisdiction, and avoid having to appear before Congress."

From wiki, regarding the company:

Triple Canopy

Founded: 2003
Revenue: unknown
Net income: unknown​

I call them a multi-billion dollar company based on the comment from the article; "Four months after that hearing, the State Department awarded Triple Canopy a contract worth nearly a billion dollars to protect U.S. diplomats traveling in Iraq."​

2. [translated from Spanish]

[José Manuel] Soria resigns by 'papers Panama'
4/15/2016(?)

Until today the acting minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism [of Spain] has announced his resignation. In a statement it acknowledged "mistakes" in the explanations but does not support any irregularity​

3.

Panama Papers reveal shell companies linked to Africa’s richest man
4/15/2016

The Panama Papers have blown open evidence that Nigerian tycoon Aliko Dangote is tied to mysterious firms in tax havens around the globe.​

4.

Panama Papers: “Armenian Master Of Offshores” Resigns
4/18/2016

Armenia’s Chief Compulsory Enforcement Officer submitted his resignation today after revelations that he owns shares in three companies registered in Panama, OCCRP partner Hetq.am said.​

5. [translated from German]

Panama bows to international pressure
4/19/2016

After considerable international pressure Panama will continue to exchange tax information with other countries.
Also, there will in future no longer be allowed to own anonymous companies. The announced Panamanian President Varela.​

6.

A question-answer session hosted by reddit.
Hint: Read only the questions, and answers by SZ_investigativ. The follow up comments will eat your brain. Except for the one regarding Bastian's cookie recipe. That was kind of funny.

We are the investigative journalists who worked on the Panama Papers AMA! [AMA=Ask Me Anything]
4/19/2016

Answering your questions today:
Frederik Obermaier, Investigative Reporter, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Twitter: @f_obermaier
Bastian Obermayer, Investigative Reporter, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Twitter: @b_obermayer
Vanessa Wormer, Data Journalist, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Twitter: @Remrow​

7.

Ming Pao newspaper union ‘extremely angered’ by sudden firing of executive chief editor
4/20/2016​

Apparently he was fired, not for being a "Panama Paper" financial crook, but for publishing an article about it in their newspaper, the Hong Kong Free Press. Perhaps the HKFP should drop the "Free Press" from their name?​

And I shouldn't ignore Frederik.

Panama Papers: US launches criminal inquiry into tax avoidance claims
4/19/2016

The US Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into the widespread international tax avoidance schemes exposed by the Panama Papers leak, published by the Guardian and other journalistic partners.​

Ok. That's enough for today.

 

[OmCheeto]

...
And didn't Obama once complain about this type of activity being centered in the Cayman Islands way back when? What ever happened to that story?
...

Ah ha! Someone must have tugged on his sleeve, and whispered; "Delaware..."

Trump and Clinton share Delaware tax 'loophole' address with 285,000 firms
Monday 25 April 2016

This squat, yellow brick office building just north of Wilmington’s rundown downtown is the registered address of more than 285,000 companies. That’s more than any other known address in the world, and 15 times more than the 18,000 registered in Ugland House, a five-storey building in the Cayman Islands that Barack Obama called “either the biggest building in the world, or the biggest tax scam on record..
...
The process of setting up a company in the state can be completed in just a few hours and requires less paperwork than registering for a library card in the state.

There are more than 1m companies registered in the state – more than Delaware’s population of 935,000.

That last statistic kills me.

 

[OmCheeto]

...crackpot conspiracy theory...

Was wondering the other day why I hadn't heard any news about the "Panama Papers" lately.
It struck me as a very significant news story, when it broke.
I thought to myself; "hmmm... what could have distracted an entire nation for a whole year?"
And then it hit me.

Anyways... back to the topic:

Somewhat semi-old news now:

Men at the center of Panama Papers scandal arrested [a month ago] (ref: CNN)

The two founders of the law firm at the center of 2016's explosive Panama Papers scandal are claiming innocence after they were arrested.

Ramón Fonseca and Jürgen Mossack both face charges of money laundering after authorities raided the firm's Panama City headquarters last Thursday. ​

 

[Andy SV]

Trump boasted he could stand on 5th avenue and shoot someone and he wouldn't lose any voters. That's what Greg is referencing.

well he was probably right