WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) announced today that it is seeking information on the whereabouts of Richard M. Grinhaus, age 58, pursuant to charges that he conspired to commit wire fraud in connection with Ex-Im Bank loans resulting in loan defaults and claims paid by Ex-Im Bank of approximately $5 million.

Grinhaus and a co-conspirator, Fernando Pascual-Jimenez, were indicted on charges of 18 U.S.C. section 1349 (conspiracy to commit wire fraud). Pascual was arrested on January 30, 2015 as he arrived on an international flight in Las Vegas, NV. Grinhaus remains at large and is believed to be residing in the Queretaro or Mexico City areas of Mexico.

According to the allegations in the indictment, from in or around July 2005 through July 2010, Grinhaus conspired with Pascual and others to obtain an Ex-Im Bank guaranteed loan for exporting U.S. goods overseas. The indictment alleges that Grinhaus and others conspired to create false documents and did not use the loan proceeds for the purchase and shipment of the goods guaranteed by Ex-Im Bank.

Individuals with information concerning the location of the fugitive in question may call the Ex-Im Bank OIG Hotline at 1-888-OIG-EXIM (1-888-644-3946) or Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Communications at 1- 407-975-1820 or 1-800- BE-ALERT (1-800-232-5378).

An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Ex-Im Bank is an independent federal agency that helps create and maintain U.S. jobs by filling gaps in private export financing. Ex-Im Bank provides a variety of financing mechanisms to help foreign buyers purchase U.S. goods and services.

Ex-Im Bank OIG is an independent office within Ex-Im Bank. The OIG receives and investigates complaints and information concerning violations of law, rules or regulations, fraud against Ex-Im Bank, mismanagement, waste of funds, and abuse of authority connected with Ex-Im Bank’s programs and operations. Additional information about the OIG can be found at www.exim.gov/oig. Complaints and reports of waste, fraud, and abuse related to Ex-Im Bank programs and operations can be reported to the OIG hotline at 888-OIG-EXIM (888-644-3946) or via email at [email protected].

SOURCE Office of Inspector General for the Export-Import Bank of the United States