They arrest a renowned professor in the US and accuse him of money laundering corruption in Venezuela

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The expert Bruce Bagley during an interview. (Credit: Image taken from video)

(CNN Spanish) - The prosecution of the Southern District of New York and the FBI announced Monday the arrest in Miami of Bruce Bagley, an American professor of international studies and author of a book on organized crime and drug trafficking.

Bagley is accused of participating in a conspiracy to launder money from a network of bribes and corruption from Venezuela to the United States. The 73-year-old professor faces charges of money laundering and if found guilty, could be sentenced to 20 years in prison for each charge.

Asked by CBS 4, a CNN affiliate, Bagley said Monday: “I feel good. Innocent. This is how i feel. They have everything wrong. ”

CNN communicated this Tuesday with his lawyer, Daniel Forman, who said that "yesterday's arrest and the charges presented came as a complete surprise to my client." He added that they are evaluating the case and the evidence "if there is one." "We are confident that at the end of the day Professor Bruce Bagley will be vindicated," he said.

Bagley appeared in several media outlets, including CNN in Spanish, as an expert on issues such as the fight against money laundering and drug trafficking.

In a statement sent to CNN, the University of Miami said it was informed Monday of the prosecution of the professor, who, according to the institution, is on leave.

"Since this is a personal matter in an ongoing investigation, the university has no further comments at the moment."

With the collaboration of Ana María Mejía from Miami.

accusationsWashing moneyMiami