Former UN Official John Ashe of Dobbs Ferry Free on Bail

Dobbs Ferry resident John W. Ashe, a former United Nations General Assembly president, reportedly is now free after posting a $1 million bail in connection with his arrest earlier this month on alleged bribery charges.

The Journal News writes that Ashe made bail Monday and now carries an attached electronic tracking device. He needed four co-signers on his bail package to receive approval of his release.

Ashe is a national from Antigua and Barbuda, and in addition to tracking device both he and his wife surrendered their passports, and he is prohibited from contacting other suspects in the case.

According to United States Attorney Preet Bharara, who announced the arrest, Ashe was the alleged recipient of money, paid out over several years, “in exchange for official actions in his capacity as UN General Assembly President and Antiguan government official in support of Chinese business interests.”

Ashe allegedly under-reported his income to hide the payments, and used the money to support a lavish lifestyle, according to prosecutors. He is charged with two counts of subscribing to false and fraudulent U.S. individual income tax returns. Each of these counts carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison.

Also arrested with Ashe were former Deputy UN Ambassador for the Dominican Republic Francis Lorenzo, Ng Lap Seng (also known as David Ng), Jeff C. Yin (aka Yin Chuan), Shiwei Yan (aka Sheri Yan) and Heidi Hong Piao (aka Heidi Park).

Click here to read the full story on The Journal News website.

Photo: John Ashe. Photo credit: UN.org

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