Allegations regarding the Los Angeles Consulate General
Today, some social media accounts circulated allegations claiming that the accountant and the Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles had embezzled 200,000 US dollars in state funds. Some time ago, similar allegations were spread regarding the alleged embezzlement of 300,000 US dollars in state funds at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Korea, claiming that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is covering up these issues and that no criminal case has been opened against the individuals involved.
No embezzlement in Los Angeles
According to information obtained by APA, there is no question of any embezzlement of state funds at the Consulate General in Los Angeles. Apparently, someone is intentionally presenting an issue involving the consulate’s accountant and driver from several years ago as if it were an act of misappropriation of state financial resources.
The real nature of the incident: Traffic accident and insurance payment
It has been learned that while the consulate’s accountant and driver were traveling in a car with their families, they were involved in a traffic accident caused by another vehicle that damaged their car.
After the incident, the consulate employees independently hired a lawyer and filed a claim, winning the case against the insurance company. As a result, the insurance company covered the costs of vehicle repairs and medical examinations.
As seen, there is no issue of embezzlement of any state funds.
Disciplinary measures for violation of ethical rules
However, according to the information we obtained, the accountant and the driver did not inform the Consul General while taking these steps and entering into a contract with a third-party lawyer, thereby violating the relevant ethical-conduct rules. An internal investigation was conducted against them, and disciplinary measures were taken.
Matter at the Embassy in Korea: Court ruling issued in 2023
As for the issue of embezzlement at our Embassy in Korea, this is not new information — once the incident occurred three years ago, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately took all appropriate measures in accordance with the law, and the matter was extensively covered at the time.
As is known from the official statements and widely circulated reports published in the press in June 2023, Najib Osmanov, who worked as an accountant at Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Korea, was found guilty of large-scale embezzlement and forgery. He repaid part of the financial damage caused to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — 77,000 US dollars — and was sentenced to 6 years in prison. This individual is currently incarcerated.
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