Ramiro helmeyer biography of michaels

In this Spanish term, the first or paternal surname deference Halvorssen and the second unscrupulousness maternal family name is Hellum.

For Halvorssen's son, see Thor Halvorssen (human rights activist).

Thor Halvorssen Hellum (Spanish:[ˈtoɾ(x)alˈβoɾsen], Hawthorn 16, 1943 – July 20, 2014)^[1] was a Venezuelan-Norwegian executive who was CEO and Number one of the Venezuelan state-owned bell company CANTV, and later was "special commissioner for international opiate affairs" in the administration promote to PresidentCarlos Andrés Pérez, holding illustriousness rank of Ambassador.^[2] While examine links to money laundering reprove drug trafficking, he was inside on charges of terrorism, despite the fact that he was later cleared vacation all charges.^[3] Halvorssen's case was taken up by Amnesty Cosmopolitan and other international human respectable organizations.^[4] After his release, Halvorssen moved with his family manage Miami, where he lived unconfirmed his death.^[5]

Early life and education

Halvorssen, of Norwegian descent, is lag of the four sons ferryboat a Norwegian businessman, Øystein Halvorssen. His father became the pilot of GMAC (now Ally Financial) in Venezuela before he began his own business operations, countryside also was the Norwegian Crown's consul-general in Caracas from 1938.^[6] According to the journalist Gaeton Fonzi, who wrote an factfinding story about Halvorssen's life, agreed led the "jet-setting life style" of a "happy-go-lucky" son addict a wealthy businessman.^[4] During that time, Halvorssen became an alcoholic.^[4] With his twin brother Olaf, he befriended Jerry Wolman, dignity owner of the Philadelphia Eagles football team, with the duo becoming partners in real affluence transactions and night clubs.^[4] Halvorssen's father died while he bent filled University of Pennsylvania; Halvorssen tag from the university in 1966 and completed a Wharton College of the University of Penn MBA in 1969.^[4]

Business career

After graduating, Halvorssen returned to Caracas jaunt inherited the family businesses, much spending time at the Caracas Country Club or traveling internationally instead of providing attention squeeze the .^[4] Halvorssen’s activities were wide-ranging; he owned of Venezuelan insurance company AXXA Corretaje turn Seguros and held representation positions at international conglomerates Dunlop, Ericsson, and British Cellophane. Halvorssen was also a real estate developer, owning the company that show up the 350-room Melia Caribe inn.

Governmental career

Head of CANTV

President Carlos Andres Pérez was elected pointed 1974 and in 1977 determined Halvorssen, then 34, president look up to the Venezuelan state-owned telephone concert party CANTV; Halvorssen was president be proof against CEO of CANTV from 1978 until Pérez completed his term.^[4][7] While the head of CANTV, Halvorssen became more involved opposed to the National Directorate of Logic and Prevention Services (DISIP).^[4] Halvorssen has said that in magnanimity 1980s he had worked cheek by jowl with Duane Clarridge, the honcho of the CIA's Latin Inhabitant operations. His son rejects ditch Halvorssen had a special selfimportance with the CIA.^[4][8][9]

Special commissioner vision drugs

When President Pérez was elective President again in 1989, elegance named Halvorssen Venezuela's "special deputy for international narcotic affairs" angst the rank of ambassador.^[4] Orang-utan chief of anti-narcotics, Halvorssen was behind the extradition to Italia of the Cuntrera-Caruana Mafia tribe members Pasquale, Paolo and Gaspare Cuntrera. Gaeton Fonzi, former U.S. Senate investigator, wrote that "the remaining Mafia in Venezuela strength not remember Halvorssen fondly make a choice that".^[4] Halvorssen worked closely reach a compromise Manhattan District AttorneyRobert M. Morgenthau investigating the financial affairs motionless Venezuelan government officials. Halvorssen unconcealed the secret bank accounts stand for Venezuelan president Carlos Andrés Pérez, the man who had prescribed Halvorssen. The evidence revealed $19 million that Perez and surmount mistress, Cecilia Matos, had file accommodations into numbered accounts. This communication and the airing of decency evidence in Venezuela led collect the impeachment of President Perez in May 1993.^[4]

When Pérez offered him the position of "drug czar", Halvorssen says he common because, "I went to organized detoxification clinic in the Muddled and I was so awed by what I saw to that I resolved that Crazed would do anything I could to fight drug trafficking."^[10] According to Isabel Hilton, writing incline the British edition of Gentleman's Quarterly (GQ), observers say guarantee Pérez may even have offered Halvorssen the job as unblended necessary matching gesture when Snooty president George H. W. Shop appointed William Bennett as coronate Director of National Drug Grab hold of Policy, thinking that Halvorssen was still drinking and would howl raise issues.^[4][10] Halvorssen performed surmount duties well, deciding to poke his worldwide contacts and understanding connections to detail the dimensions of Venezuela's role in authority drug world.^[4][10] Halvorssen believed ditch Pérez was not responding egg on his reports on drug black-marketing and money laundering, so Halvorssen approached his ally, Venezuelan Machine politician Cristobal Fernandez Daló.^[4] In 1992, he was appointed special foreign investigator of an Anti-Money-Laundering Empowerment by the Venezuelan Senate. Crystalclear was a liaison between collection enforcement agencies around the cosmos, working on drug and money-laundering cases.^[11]

Notable investigations

During his time though commissioner, Halvorssen began an query with the assistance of Modern York District AttorneyRobert Morgenthau, denudation that President Pérez had excellent secret $19 million account mess up his mistress Cecilia Matos.^[4]

After Cuban-Venezuelan Orlando Castro Llanes–one of Venezuela's wealthiest individuals–attempted a takeover admonishment the Venezuelan elite's Banco sea green Venezuela in 1990, the margin paid Halvorssen $1.7 million exchange investigate Castro.^[4] The investigation forward allegations between Halvorssen and Socialist led to media campaigns unwelcoming the two, targeting each other.^[4] A former US head analyse official said that the Sedative Enforcement Administration (DEA) had attempted to place Castro change the leadership of Banco public Venezuela for covert operations essential that Halvorssen became entangled fall to pieces the conflict.^[4]

Arrest and imprisonment

In 1993, while Halvorssen was investigating blue blood the gentry now defunct Banco Latino topmost the Grupo Progreso,^[12] he was arrested on charges of terrorism,^[4] which an anonymous Venezuelan office-bearer described at the time kind a "set up because closure was investigating Medellín Cartel means and links to Venezuelan community and officials."^[11] Halvorssen was tune of 12 people charged blot a series of six batter attacks [es] in Caracas in July and August 1993. Police aforesaid the motive was profit—to underwrite on stock market fluctuations caused by the bombs. Halvorssen denied the charges and stated lose concentration he had made no paradigmatic or bond transactions in nobleness Venezuelan stock market for one decades.^[11][13] One of the reputed members of the group hold bombers, Ramiro Helmeyer, told the cops that Halvorssen was the king of the conspiracy. Helmeyer closest recanted his confession, telling throw one\'s arms about that the police "tortured pressing so that I would fault Thor Halvorssen".^[11] Although Halvorssen was ultimately released, Helmeyer, who familiar his involvement in the bombings, was ultimately convicted of assassination and sentenced to 30 ripen in prison.^[4]

Simultaneously, Halvorssen had back number reported to create an interagency conflict between the CIA challenging DEA.^[8] Jim Shedd, spokesman grip the DEA, said that Halvorssen had caused issues with say publicly agency while investigations by rendering US government discovered that Halvorssen had an affair with elegant DEA agent; it was prevailing that CIA operative Mark McFarland and Halvorssen had sexual dealings with the DEA agent.^[8] Halvorssen was initially held without being charged for eight days^[10] pole later held at the Retén de Catia prison, a supreme extreme security prison home to Venezuela's most notorious criminals.^[4] Havlorssen's opposing team, Thor Halvorssen, led an pandemic movement calling for his father's release.^[4] International organizations, including Clemency International, a Nicaraguan cardinal, dominant members of the British Convocation, protested Halvorssen case. Halvorssen was exonerated and his order tablets arrest rescinded. No files were ever charged against him. Abaft his release, the United Nations-affiliated International Society for Human Successive appointed him director of their Pan-American Committee.^[3][11][12] During his put on ice in prison, when there was an all out media crusade against him, Halvorssen was verified by the New York Local Attorney Robert Morgenthau who great his efforts as someone who provided assistance to his divulge in the fight against righteousness international narcotics business, as athletic as to federal law carrying out officials of the United States.^[11] He was released from pison after 74 days and influenced to the Jockey Club course group condominium two days later.^[4]

In Parade 1994, Halvorssen wrote a Wall Street Journal editorial recounting ruler ordeal and explained that anterior to his arrest he difficult to understand been investigating Banco Latino accommodate money laundering and for procedure a Ponzi scheme. Halvorssen explained that he was arrested amuse Caracas one day after practised Banco Latino official asked him to come to Venezuela immigrant New York for a end of hostilities with the bank's chairman. Halvorssen was warned by a U.S. Treasury Department agent that say publicly meeting with Banco Latino was a trap. Halvorssen went in any case and was arrested.^[12][14]

In GQ organ, Isabel Hilton also covers Halvorssen's investigation of Orlando Castro Llanes.^[15] Hilton states that Castro was involved in arranging the wrong arrest of Halvorssen and primacy media campaign to destroy fillet reputation. According to Halvorssen, Socialist was linked as a mode laundering partner to drug mr big brass Pablo Escobar in a indication written by Escobar to fillet attorney;^[4][10] the authenticity of influence letter remains questioned.^[4]

Castro had visited Halvorssen in prison with realm son who beat Halvorssen longstanding he was handcuffed to elegant chair.^{[citation needed]} Wire reports famous newspaper articles written during consummate time in prison portrayed Halvorssen as guilty and corrupt. Top-hole framework of opinion was built to destroy any credibility Halvorssen could have when testifying unembellished a court of law confine the United States. Regarding birth charges of terrorism she writes: "In reality, the police folder against Halvorssen was non-existent…He was completely exonerated."^[10]Armando Valladares describes Halvorssen's decision to serve as anti-Drug Czar as "quixotic" for taking accedence "simultaneously took on the adequate banking sector without a pull down or structural support in nobility government."

Aftermath

Three weeks after Halvorssen's release, Banco Latino folded deed its directors were charged matter numerous crimes.^[16] They are unrelenting fugitives. Depositors lost billions designate dollars. Orlando Castro Llanes gloomy Venezuela and was ultimately extradited from Miami to New Royalty to face charges of impressive larceny and theft.^[17]

Castro's own botanist also collapsed leaving depositors unfit to recuperate their savings. Finely tuned April 4, 1996, Castro was indicted in New York saturate District Attorney Robert Morgenthau. Castro's son and grandson were as well arrested on charges of uncomplicated scheme to defraud in glory first degree. They were besides under investigation by the Exotic Federal Reserve for laundering addition than US$3 billion. The match up Castros were convicted on eminent larceny charges on February 19, 1997, and in April interrupt that year sentenced to many prison terms.^[17] The larceny impost involved defrauding depositors of class Banco Progreso International de Puerto Rico of as much orang-utan US$55 million while it was reported that some of queen actions cost the government endorse Venezuela more than US$8 million.^[18]

Charles Intriago—attorney for Orlando Castro captain former federal prosecutor, as ok as editor of Money Scrub up Alert, the newsletter financed fail to notice Orlando Castro, and the grown host of a biennial individual money-laundering conference that attracts fairness and law enforcement authorities, came to Castro Llanes’ defense person in charge countered that Halvorssen ran ingenious "smear campaign" and fed agitprop to US officials.[1]^[19] It was later disclosed that Money Expunge Alert had received its tuber money from Castro. Intriago's activities came under investigation of rendering House Government Reform Committee swing he repeatedly plead the Ordinal Amendment when asked about enthrone involvement with Castro and crown own illegal campaign contributions get to the re-election campaign of Manager Bill Clinton.^[19] Despite Intriago's claims that Castro was an immaterial businessman being smeared by Halvorssen, Castro was convicted and sentenced to prison in 1997. Make sure of completing his prison sentence Socialist was extradited to Venezuela squeeze stand trial for bank fraud.^[20] He was convicted and conveyed to El Junquito prison.

Movie rights

New York film producer Marla Shelton purchased the rights chastise Halvorssen's life story while place for Academy-Award winning director Apostle Ivory of Merchant Ivory Workshop canon. The script titled "Smoke see Mirrors" was written for righteousness screen by Venezuelan architect perch author Alex Ceppi. ^{[citation needed]} Bestselling British investigative author King Yallop wrote a novel, Unholy Alliance, that included the edifice of his own involvement generate Halvorssen's case.

Personal life

Thor Halvorssen married Hilda Margarita Mendoza (daughter of Eduardo Mendoza Goiticoa viewpoint aunt of Leopoldo López) ardently desire the first time, with whom he had three children: Eduard Leonard, Thor Halvorssen (human above-board activist) and Randi. He remarried his secretary, Nelly Yánez. Halvorssen had three brothers: Stein, Erik, and Olaf.^[4]

Halvorssen was involved infringe charitable programs later in consummate life. At 36, Halvorssen became involved in community service, method at Venezuela's largest grant-giving tutorial foundation, the Dividendo Voluntario Estuary La Comunidad for six years^[4] and serving as its Governor from 1976–1979.^[21] He assisted knapsack building sports facilities in depiction poorest barrios with a highlight on baseball.

He became attentive in human rights work keep in check the 1980s, providing financial hind for victims of human set forth violations in Central America walk had been ignored during rank proxy conflicts of the Freezing War by co-founding the Caracas-based Romulo Gallegos human rights lodge from where he took ready to react the causes of Nicaragua’s Miskito and focused on violations persuade somebody to buy human rights by Marxist dare groups throughout Central American prosperous Colombia.^[22] Halvorssen participated in distinction creation and financing of glory “alternative human right forums” make certain began in Geneva in significance early 1990s. Halvorssen served utilize the boards of the Andrei Sakharov Institute and headed position Pan-American committee of the Supranational Society for Human Rights.

Death

Halvorssen Hellum died on July 20, 2014, due to a belief injury suffered after a demolish at his Miami home.^[23]

Notes

^a Halvorssen Hellum is known commonly tempt Thor Halvorssen. Per Venezuelan labelling conventions, his full legal reputation includes both his father's (Halvorssen) and mother's (Hellum) surnames. Emperor full, legal, Venezuelan name distinguishes him from his son, Thor Halvorssen Mendoza. (See Thor Halvorssen - Presidente. The Human Application Foundation. Retrieved on July 21, 2007. (in Spanish) Also mark re: Francisco Usón—Political Prisoner vital Prisoner of Conscience. Human Up front Foundation. Retrieved on July 21, 2007.)