A U.S. judge on Monday dismissed the bribery and fraud case against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, criticizing the conduct of a senior Justice Department official. Judge Nicholas Garaufis said Trent McCotter, principal associate deputy Attorney General, made the decision to drop the case « largely in collaboration with defense counsel » without consulting the investigating agencies. Prosecutors had alleged that Adani and seven others paid more than $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure solar energy contracts and misled U.S. investors and banks. The SEC had previously settled a civil case with Adani, requiring him to pay $18 million in fines. Since the charges were dropped, his wealth has increased by $2 billion, making him Asia’s richest man.
Source: Read the original article
