Chinese billionaire guilty of bribery

UNITED STATES: A Chinese billionaire who wanted to build a United Nations centre in Macau was convicted yesterday of paying more than US$1.7 million (NZ$2.27M) in bribes to UN ambassadors to get it done.

The verdict was returned after a day of deliberations in Manhattan federal court against Ng Lap Seng, one of China’s richest men. Ng was convicted of bribery, conspiracy and money laundering charges. Prosecutors presented evidence that Ng from 2010 to 2015 bribed two UN ambassadors, including a UN General Assembly president, paying one US$50,000 monthly at the scheme’s peak to create a centre to serve struggling Southern Hemisphere nations.

Defence lawyers contended the payments were ordinary. But the centre was never built.

Ng looked at jurors as the verdict was announced but otherwise did not display emotion.

US District Judge Vernon S. Broderick tightened Ng’s bail conditions, saying he was now ‘‘literally under house arrest,’' confined under US$50 million bail to a luxury Manhattan apartment where he has remained for most months under 24-hour guard since his September 2015 arrest.

‘‘He cannot leave that apartment. No ifs, ands or buts about that,’' the judge said. No sentencing date was set. Ng, 69, could face up to 65 years in prison.

Ng’s lawyer, Tai Park, did not immediately comment. After the verdict, he told the judge there were multiple avenues for appeal.

‘‘Nothing has changed other than the presumption of innocence is no longer there,’' Park said. ‘‘We’ve been preparing him for this eventuality.’'

Acting US Attorney Joon H. Kim said Ng ‘‘corrupted the highest levels of the United Nations.’' -AP