The FBI is investigating links between U.S. banks and the doping scandal in Russia
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has uncovered a probable link between American banks and the Russian doping scandal. The investigation is looking into such crimes as money laundering, bribery and conspiracy.
The FBI is investigating the probable involvement of U.S. banks in the Russian athlete doping scandal, according to CBS News, citing a source close to the investigation. "According to a person familiar with the investigation, the FBI is trying to find out if there is any U.S. connection to the scandal, in particular, if American banks are allegedly supporting the doping schemes," as reported on the network’s website Wednesday, May 18, 2016.
The investigation also is trying to determine whether anyone received any unfair advantages from participating in the doping scheme, including "athletes, coaches, anti-doping officials and Russian officials." The FBI considers the likelihood of crimes such as money laundering, bribery and conspiracy will be uncovered in the investigation.
On the 8th of May, 2016, the CBS program 60 Minutes showed a film entitled The Dark Mystery of Russia, in which a former employee of the Russian anti-doping Agency (RUSADA), Vitaliy Stepanov, and his wife, runner Yulia Stepanova, discussed the use of doping by Russian athletes.
According to Stepanov, information about the use of doping by Russian athletes during the Olympic Games in Sochi was provided by the former head of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory, Grigoriy Rodchenkov, in conversations via Skype. In particular, the latter reported that the former employee of RUSADA said that at least four Russian Olympic Champions were using steroids, Stepanov said. "The FSB is trying to control every step of the anti-doping process in Sochi," he said.
On May 12, 2016 The New York Times (NYT) published an article in which Rodchenkov said that dozens of Russian athletes participating in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, including at least 15 of its winners, were doping as part of the state program. This program was developed secretly over many years to ensure Russian victories at the Olympic Games. Later, the NYT wrote that the U.S. Justice Department joined the investigation into the doping scandal.