New Delhi, September 6, 2010  Updated 16:23 IST

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/111664/World/pacheco-runs-moneylaundering-racket-us.html

Goa's former tourism minister Mickey Pacheco has been accused by the US Bureau of Diplomatic Security of running an international immigration and money-laundering racket.

The bureau got in touch with the external affairs ministry through the US embassy in Delhi and reportedly backed its allegations with documents and details of banking transactions.

The ministry then passed on the information to the CBI. The evidence is being described as substantive.

According to the US Bureau of Diplomatic Security report, Pacheco had 15 million dollars in his account in the US. He recently transferred 2 million dollars to India.

But Pacheco claimed he was innocent. "I came back from the US just five days ago. I am not involved in any money-laundering or immigration racket. My accounts are clear. The authorities making the claims must produce evidence," he said.

Pacheco said his overseas employment agency had ceased to exist four years ago when he split with his wife Sara. He said all foreign recruitments had been done using valid documents.

Pacheco is no stranger to controversy. Nearly four months ago, he was forced to step down as tourism minister after being booked for close friend Nadia Torrado's murder.