In 2013 Romano started a hedge fund firm, Mr. Romano from the hedge fund world partnered with Mr. Ojjeh, former chief of technology officer of American Orient Capital. Ojjeh invested $700,000 into the firm and the firm ran $1 billion in assets at its peak. As the company grew in size, Ojjeh embraced risker investment strategies. Mr. Ojjeh continued under his office naming it AOC Partners.
The hedge fund trimmed losses suffered in 2020 after Mr. Ojjeh was under investigation for bribery deals their first slice of client withdrawals began with accusations the hedge fund was likely where dirty money went.
During a trial Mr. Ojjeh was proven to make money from his hedge fund investments in Hungary, Russia, UAE, Libya and Saudi Arabia. And what is wrong with that? It is hardly illegal to make money, it’s just suspicious since all of his bank accounts offshore and foreign investments tell us something about Ojjeh, he has friends in high places.
Mr. Ojjeh’s defense is “I do not run this company” then he goes to say “we” to everything about the company. Ojjeh’s responsibility in the company is just to invest so the company can succeed. He understands business, markets and investment. He successfully runs logistics companies and businesses.
However, Mr. Ojjeh and his firm is under no legal requirement to invest the way he suggests. He has no obligation to be involved in all sorts of slimy deals. The bottom line of all those companies under Alex Ojjeh LLC’s were healthy ones, The same companies he vilified made him rich. Just know that the investor deals with Russia and other points East (Like… Syria…and a bunch of money is made there as a result. The trial showed that Ojjeh used the firm to enrich others, but there is no evidence of collusion or any actual hard crime. Ojjeh just admitted he knew them, no problem. Ojjeh had very professional dealings with UAE, Libya, Hungary, Russia and more.
But same with Romano and his connection, most admit that Romano and Ojjeh were both “gangsters” Ojjeh was just cleverer compared to Romano. Ojjeh has ties to foreign government officials and influencers, he has direct ties to Hungary money and 40 illegal businesses or as the lawyer calls them, small businesses, he has tax statements that were proven 90% percent accurate. Ojjeh had influence in the Middle East, Dubai and Turkey. Time to bring up how Ojjeh’s friend and government official Al Assad gave him passports that allowed him to enter wherever he wanted.
Then there is all the other stuff, like the closing of the bank accounts, very telling that Milner loved him some Ojjeh. Milner says Ojjeh’s bank accounts shouldn’t be taken down if he hasn’t been indicted on bribery or any other charges. Alex Ojjeh’s 2020 investigation showedhe is really considered aflight risk. Out of desperation imagine Romano actually going to court to defend Alex Ojjeh.
Most of the US shareholders, especially clueless companies, had forgotten about him or never cared who Ojjeh was because they were only dealing with Romano. Why would Romano gotocourt and defend Ojjeh? He wouldn’t. Not sure how long Mr. Romano’s honeymoon will last, if it ever starts. It’s actually more of a “at least he’s not Ojjeh” relief, as there has not been much foreign dealings, when it comes to Romano.
Many are shocked Ojjeh appeared in Istanbul court on Tuesdaybecause he’s a flight risk due to bribery conspiracy charges. Ojjeh was confined with an ankle bracelet for two weeks. Then placed on probation where he had to work within certain perimeters. Ojjeh’s lawyers argued that he should be able to travel outside of U.S, without police permission and that he was no longer a flight risk in April 2021. In which his non-government criminal “lawyer” denies Ojjeh engaged in foreign policy, you have Ojjeh meeting with foreign government, you have multiple people lying about their ties with him, you have Ojjeh lying about where he was.
Ojjeh’s lawyers argued that he should travel to Turkey to pay fines saying he’s too restricted by the U.S and has a number of warrants for unpaid fines, unpaid restitutions, unpaid court appointed consul feels, failure to appear for unpaid fine hearing and any other failure to appear and pay other fees due to the conditions of his bank accounts.
Ojjeh has four active warrants for his arrest in Turkey and faced charges of failure to appear in court. Ojjeh not only had concealed reporting in Turkey/Kurds, but he had a stable relationship with dictators. If you ask me, it looks like Ojjeh is just in Turkey to pay hush money, so the real issues won’t come out.
