Former New York Mayor and federal prosecutor Rudy Giuliani told Newsmax the federal indictments against former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro could lead to massive financial and property seizures.
Giuliani told "Saturday Report" that federal prosecutors specifically used racketeering charges against Maduro due to his involvement in drug trafficking. "The real value of a racketeering charge is that you can seize the business and take it away from them."
He said it could mean the government confiscating illicit money and drug infrastructure in Venezuela and wherever the operation was doing business.
"So, assuming a conviction on some, if not all of the charges, we would stand to seize billions and billions of dollars in ill-gotten gains, which then could be used for our benefit, for the benefit of the people of Venezuela, and to destroy this animal."
"The criminal penalties are significant," he said. Giuliani explained that now that Maduro is in the custody of the government, prosecutors working on the case will be making some adjustments to their case files.
"I suspect it will now be refined for trial and focus in on the defendants that are going to be the focus of the trial."
Giuliani said Maduro's crime network has had a terrible effect on America. "He's been enormously damaging to the United States. Drugs, massive numbers, Tren de Aragua, helping Iran constantly, and giving aid and assistance to China and Russia."
He also criticized the administration of former President Joe Biden for sitting idly by and doing nothing to combat the growth of Maduro's crime network.
Now with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, Giuliani said he is pleased to see the change. "So, this is an unbelievably great day for the people of Venezuela and for the people of America."
Giuliani said it is too early to sort out a potential punishment for Maduro if he is convicted. But the terrorism charges he faces, along with racketeering, bring the potential of the death penalty or a life sentence.
Trump made the surprise announcement overnight about Maduro's capture as he ordered special operations military units to pull Maduro from his compound in Venezuela and detain his wife in the process.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said other criminally active third-world leaders should take note that Trump is changing the world.
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Jim Mishler ✉
Jim Mishler, a seasoned reporter, anchor and news director, has decades of experience covering crime, politics and environmental issues.
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