US authorities have sold a luxury Cartier wristwatch and a gold chain necklace that belonged to Abidemi Rufai, a former Ogun State government official, who was found guilty of wire fraud.
Rufai was sentenced by the United States District Court for Western Tacoma, Washington, on September 26, 2022, after admitting to defrauding the U.S. government.
Rufai attempted to steal nearly $2.4 million using stolen identities, including around $500,000 in pandemic-related unemployment benefits.
He successfully defrauded 12 U.S. agencies of $600,000, which he funneled into bank accounts under his control.
As part of his plea agreement, Rufai agreed to pay restitution of $604,260 to the defrauded agencies, and U.S. authorities sold luxury items confiscated during his December 2022 arrest to recover funds.
According to report uncovered by PREMIUM TIMES
“The Judgment entered in this case directed the United States to sell in a commercially reasonable manner a Cartier watch and a gold chain necklace that it seized from Defendant Abidemi Rufai during his arrest and apply the net proceeds to Defendant’s $604,460 judgment debt,” Nicholas Brown, a U.S. Attorney, said in a court filing.
“The United States sold the watch and necklace via online auction through Gaston & Sheehan Auctioneers, Appraisers, and Realty. The winning bids for the watch and necklace were $4,720.00 and $3,160.00, respectively.
“After payment of $64.41 shipping expenses and $728.90 (9.25 per cent) sales commission, the net proceeds were $7,086.69.
“As instructed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Gaston & Sheehan sent the net proceeds to the Clerk of this Court via cheque. The Clerk received and processed the payment on December 20, 2022, applying $200.00 to Defendant’s special assessment and $6,886.69 to his restitution balance.”
After paying a portion of his restitution, Abidemi Rufai, a former Ogun State official, still owes the U.S. government $597,573.31 and is expected to be deported to Nigeria after his release from prison in mid-November 2024.
