Ex-UN General Assembly head charged in bribe case is freed

Author: the associated press
Published:
MGN Online

NEW YORK (AP) – A former president of the United Nations General Assembly facing tax charges in a bribery case has been released from custody after bail conditions were relaxed during a court hearing.

John Ashe was freed Monday after an electronic bracelet was attached and the last of four co-signers to his $1 million bail package were approved. He declined to comment. Suspended Dominican Republic diplomat Francis Lorenzo also was freed on $2 million bail Monday in the case.

A Chinese billionaire charged in the case was released on $50 million bail.

The 61-year-old Ashe had been held on tax charges since his arrest nearly three weeks ago in the U.N. bribery scandal. A prosecutor says additional charges are likely.

Lawyers for Ashe and Lorenzo say they will fight to clear their names.

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