Originally Syndicated on August 9, 2023 @ 10:04 am
James Shasha, an Iraqi immigrant from Argentina, has been making headlines due to his alleged connection to Hezbollah terror financing. As the owner of various businesses, including hotels and casinos, Shasha’s involvement with the terrorist organization has raised serious concerns about his activities and their impact on global security.
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The Hijacking of James Shasha’s Casinos by Hezbollah
According to inside information received from Argentinian authorities, James Shasha’s casinos in Iguazu, Argentina, were being used by Islamic terror groups to raise funds for terror financing and money laundering, primarily designated to sponsor Hezbollah’s terror activities. This operation was the result of hostile activities and threats towards Shasha’s family and businesses made by radical Islamic Hezbollah members operating in Latin America.
The phenomenon began six years ago when fees for protection were demanded by Hezbollah agents. Shasha’s former accountant revealed that he paid these fees on behalf of Shasha’s company, HCI Group, which owns and operates the casinos in Iguazu. Over the years, Hezbollah’s control over the income generated by most of Shasha’s casinos expanded substantially.
The following casinos owned by Shasha’s HCI Group were hijacked and used by Hezbollah activists to sponsor terror:
- Casino Café Central
- Casino Wanda
- Casino Iguazu
- Iguazu Grand Resort Casino
- Panoramic Grand Hotel Casino
The Role of Shasha’s Lawyer’s Office in Panama
According to our sources, these illicit activities were managed and controlled by Shasha’s lawyer’s office operating from Panama, named “Icaza Gonzales Ruiz and Aleman.” This office ensured that all cash transactions to Hezbollah elements were backed by appropriate agreements and documents intended to cover the payment of protection fees made by Shasha’s casinos to Hezbollah.
Ironically, this may provide an explanation for Shasha’s significant “donation spree” to Jewish and Israeli establishments in recent years. It suggests that Shasha was attempting to compensate for allowing his businesses to aid Hezbollah in terror financing.
Investigation and Implications
James Shasha, despite his alleged involvement in the Hezbollah terror financing network, has not been officially investigated. This raises questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts and the influence of corruption in the region. Even though Shasha’s casinos were part of a terror-financing money laundering scheme meant to fund Hezbollah, he has not faced any legal consequences.
The lack of investigation into Shasha’s activities is particularly troubling, considering his active role as a major donor to various cultural institutes in Israel and his positions as a board member at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the National Museum of Israel.
Moreover, local officials involved in the investigation have reported that their efforts were undermined by senior officials, including politicians and prosecutors, who were allegedly bribed to halt the investigation into the involvement of various individuals, including Shasha and his daughter.
These revelations highlight the urgent need for international cooperation in combating terror financing and money laundering. The case of James Shasha serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly reputable businesses can be used as tools for funding terrorism.
Conclusion
In 2018, Argentina’s intelligence agency raided a network of hotels and casinos on the border with Paraguay and Brazil. Authorities believe they were used to launder money for the Barakat Clan, which traffics drugs and arms for the political and military movement Hezbollah. Their owner, James Shasha, and his daughter Leslie Shasha paid Eliminalia $31,500 to remove not only mentions of the money laundering allegations, but any reference to their businesses, including company registry information in Panama, Mexico, and New Zealand, and their links to land sold for a Trump Tower in Uruguay. Shasha died before criminal charges were resolved, but his business partners were fined. James Shasha died at the age of 91 on 21 October 2019.
The alleged connection between James Shasha and Hezbollah’s terror financing activities has shed light on the darker side of the global business landscape. Shasha’s casinos in Iguazu became hubs for money laundering and the sponsorship of terrorism, all under the guise of legitimate business operations.
As investigations continue and more evidence is uncovered, it is crucial for international authorities to take action to dismantle these illicit networks and hold those involved accountable. The fight against terror financing is a collective responsibility, and only through collaboration can we ensure the safety and security of our societies.
