New York businessman held 2 1/2 years in Bolivia has arrived to US, State Department says

CARACAS, Venezuela – The U.S. State Department says a New York businessman detained the past 2 1/2 years in Bolivia on suspicion of money laundering has arrived in the United States.

A State Department official speaking on condition of anonymity says only that the agency can confirm Jacob Ostreicher had left Bolivia, and it can give no details on his departure or travel.

Bolivian government officials said Monday that they didn’t know anything about him possibly leaving.

Ostreicher spent 18 months in a Bolivian jail without charges on suspicion of money laundering while trying to salvage a rice-growing venture. He was released a year ago and put under house arrest in the city of Santa Cruz after actor Sean Penn directly appealed to President Evo Morales to free him.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles