She is only charged with false statements to two FBI agents who subjected her to a surprise interrogation in a language with which she is not completely comfortable and which appears to have been designed to trap her. Any small amount of money that passed between them was the product of that friendship. Her husband, Vladimir Kudryavtsev, who the complaint said also received money from Ms. Edwards and Berlin, was not charged with wrongdoing and could not be reached for comment. According to court documents, Ms. Kudryavtsev first met Ms. Edwards in St. Petersburg, Russia, about 15 years ago and was originally recommended for a job at the Bank of New York in 1993 by Ms. Edwards. The complaint also said that Berlin told an unidentified Bank of New York employee who had responsibility for the Benex and Becs accounts to call Ms. Kudryavtsev about those accounts if Berlin could not be reached.
Prosecutors still face serious challenges.
The charges against Ms. Edwards and Berlin, now in London, fall short of money laundering charges, which are typically difficult to prove. The couple have declined to comment. If you appreciate the information we provide, please support our work. Make a donation or become a member of Global Policy Forum.