by Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld and Alyssa A. Lappen
Human Events | Posted: 09/18/2007

Alcoa Inc.’s shares may have fallen 30% since their July 2007 peak, but that only makes the world’s second largest aluminum producer a more tempting takeover target. A few foreign companies have expressed interest, including United Company Rusal (UCR, registered “offshore” in Jersey), now the world’s largest aluminum conglomerate.

Rusal’s owner, a close personal friend of the Russian President, Oleg Deripaska has a net worth that has nearly doubled since 2006, to an estimated at $21 billion. If American law enforcement and securities officials are not already paying close attention to Russia’s wealthiest man, they should.

On September 1, the German magazine Der Spiegel reported that Deripaska stands accused by the Stuttgart Prosecutor’s Office of involvement with Russia’s Izmailovo mob in laundering 8 million Euros in Germany and bribing judges — and, most damningly, of contracting the murders of some competitors.

This investigation apparently blocked Deripaska’s attempt to obtain control over the German construction conglomerate, Hochtief. Deripaska, who already holds 9.6 percent of the company, is challenging the decision in court, alleging anti-Russian politics rest behind the decision.

However, the Germans may be rightfully wary Deripaska’s attempted acquisition. Directed by Putin, Russia’s “Fagin,” Deripaska happily plays the Artful Dodger, entrapping and tricking domestic and foreign businessmen and absconding with their assets, all in the name of nationalism.

The U.S. government has denied Deripaska’s entry to the country for more than 10 years. In 2005, after paying $560,000 to former Senator Robert Dole and his law firm, Alston & Bird, Deripaska secured a multiple-entry visa and visited the U.S. several times. His visits ended abruptly in July 2006, when the U.S. government revoked his visa.

Despite Deripaska’s questionable profile, for $500,000 monthly he retains the advice of the risk management and investigative firm Dilligence LLC, whose advisory board is chaired by former CIA and FBI Director Judge William Webster.

Deripaska even has the fifth Baron Rothschild, Nathaniel. In his stable. Rothschild has a $15 million stake in Dilligence, and is also a partner in New York’s $14 billion and growing Atticus Capital hedge fund, which owns 4% of the New York Stock Exchange. Continue reading “Russia’s Artful Dodger” →

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