Lobbyist indicted for violating Sudan sanctions

A former State Department official who forged a lucrative career lobbying for African regimes with dismal human rights records has been indicted for violating sanctions against the government of Sudan.

Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment against a Washington, D.C. lobbyist today for allegedly violating sanctions against the government of Sudan.

According to the Justice Department, Robert Cabelly, a former state department official and managing director of C/R International, did work for the Sudanese without permission from the U.S. government. The firm allegedly brokered business contracts for the country, and gave it “sensitive” U.S. government information.

The Justice Department says Cabelly was also involved with the Sudanese oil industry, and was being paid by both the country’s government and by a foreign oil company. He allegedly directed the company to deposit a $180,000 payment in an offshore account in the Cook Islands in an attempt to launder the funds. [Blog of the Legal Times]

Cabelly's main job was to diffuse global outrage over the genocide in Darfur.

As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice did grant Cabelly a special waiver to lobby for Sudan, despite the sanctions. However the state alleges that he lobbied without permission between 2005 and 2007 and committed other serious infractions in his business with government and business interests in Sudan.