US officials combing tax evasion leak for possible criminal cases

The US Justice Department says it’s reviewing a massive tax evasion leak for evidence of possible criminal wrongdoing that might have a link to the United States or to its financial system.

Spokesman Peter Carr says the department is aware of the Panama Papers data leak containing information on the offshore financial dealings of wealthy, famous and powerful people around the world. He says the department is reviewing the reports but can’t comment on specific documents.

“The US Department of Justice takes very seriously all credible allegations of high level, foreign corruption that might have a link to the United States or the U.S. financial system,” he says

It’s not clear how many Americans have been named in the documents but thousands of Europeans have been named, according to local journalists.

— AP