The activist organization Global Witness released a report on January 31st that stated that three New York real estate lawyers had been recorded giving advice on how to move suspect money into the United States. Global Witness' report is the product of an undercover investigation that this nonprofit organization carried out as part of its push for stricter money-laundering rules. According to Global Witness spokeswoman Stefanie Ostfeld, it "...wasn't hard to find lawyers to suggest ways to move suspect funds into the United States". Overall, Global Witness' investigator met with thirteen lawyers. Twelve out of the thirteen discussed ways to move money, although the report accuses none of these lawyers of engaging in criminal activity. This report is particularly timely, as recent evidence of suspect money flowing into luxury real-estate has led to increased attention on the use of shell companies in the high-end real estate realm.
-Margaux Glovier