BUFFALO, New York, Sept. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York issued the following news release on Sept. 5, 2024:

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Houssam El-Atat, 44, of Montreal, Canada, was extradited from Spain and made an initial appearance today on a criminal complaint charging him with conspiracy to engage in international money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.