Categories: USA

The new Alex Saab is a U.S. person: Antonio Luis Gonzalez Morales

Antonio Luis Gonzalez Morales, a Venezuelan oil trader with deep ties to the Maduro regime, is emerging as the “new Alex Saab”, a key figure in laundering illicit Venezuelan wealth. Like Saab, who built his fortune through Venezuela’s oil-for-food programs, Gonzalez Morales profits from sanctioned oil trade while channelling his gains through extensive real estate operations in the United States, all in broad daylight.

Over the years, Gonzalez Morales has quietly built a vast real estate network in Florida using a web of proxies and shell companies. Gonzalez Morales uses his maternal cousins, Gilberto, Sylvia, and Ingrid Morales, as trusted fronts. Corporate records show that the Morales siblings have managed at least eight of Boord’s companies since 2013.

In 2019, Ingrid and Sylvia Morales, alongside Boord, sold Florida properties for USD 33 million. In 2020, a luxury condo, owned via Boord’s Ocean 908, LLC and managed by Ingrid, sold for USD 5.8 million. These transactions enabled Gonzalez Morales to recover millions legitimately, among others that remain unidentified.

The scheme goes deeper and continues to expand. Public filings reveal a long list of Florida entities linked to the group. In August 2024, Gonzalez Morales formed yet another company in the state, PHI Investments LLC, this time under the name “Luis Gonzalez,” with his cousin Sylvia now in charge of the company.

With mounting evidence, Gonzalez Morales may soon face the same legal reckoning as Alex Saab, except this time, the operation is happening inside U.S. borders and by a U.S. person in direct violation of US sanctions law.

Adyson Sipes

Staff writer for the Chicago Morning Star

Recent Posts

Hurricanes rout Blackhawks 7-2 behind Stankoven

The Carolina Hurricanes delivered a dominant performance Thursday night, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 7-2 on the road behind a standout…

2 hours ago

Chicago invests $300M in affordable housing push

Chicago officials have unveiled a sweeping affordable housing initiative, committing more than $300 million to 15 developments across the city…

23 hours ago

EXPO Chicago returns with citywide art events

EXPO CHICAGO, the city’s largest annual gathering of contemporary and modern art, returns to Navy Pier’s Festival Hall for its…

2 days ago

Brady earns MLS Team of the Matchday honor

Chicago Fire FC goalkeeper Chris Brady has been named to the Major League Soccer Team of the Matchday for Matchday…

3 days ago

Seiya Suzuki Set for Cubs Return on Friday

The Chicago Cubs are expected to activate outfielder Seiya Suzuki from the injured list on Friday ahead of their three-game…

4 days ago

United adds tiered pricing to premium cabins

United Airlines is introducing a new tiered pricing model for its premium cabins, expanding customer choice across long-haul and select…

4 days ago

This website uses cookies.