Why Are Americans Not Included in the Panama Papers?

[Purveyor]

One of the many remarkable things about the massive leak of documents known as the Panama Papers is what's so far been lacking.

Americans.

The documents, related to a Panamanian law firm that specializes in creating shell companies for many of the world's richest people, provide a glimpse into how secret fortunes and ill-gotten gains are moved through a shady financial network, according to The International Consortium of Investigative Journalism, which worked with news organizations around the world to analyze the files.

The clients and connections included current and former world leaders, famous athletes and billionaires, but also notorious underworld operatives. The ICIJ says people in the United States were involved. But hardly any are among the bold-faced names made public. One exception is Chicago-based financial coach and author Marianna Olszewski — who, according to ICIJ member the BBC, allegedly used the firm, Mossack Fonseca, to hide her name as the owner of a secret offshore account.

The seeming dearth of Americans in the reports doesn't necessarily mean that U.S. citizens are more upfront, or more law abiding, than their counterparts around the world, experts said. But there are a number of possible reasons why so few have showed up in the coverage.

First, this was a leak of more than 11 million documents, and it will take some time for the ICIJ to scour them. "So maybe there are revelations about specific Americans and secret funds that we haven't heard about," said Matt Gardner, executive director of The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a research organization.

MORE...

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/panama-papers/why-are-americans-not-included-panama-papers-n551081

[Warpy]

1. They're more likely to be in the files at their US branches

Since quite a few government agencies that rely on dark money, slush accounts, and dirty dealing are likely to be there, too, the DoJ is dragging its feet on raiding those offices.

Apparently some 411 Americans are in the Panama papers, probably rich expats for the most part.

[joeybee12]

2. You know who's in there? Simon Cowell of American Idol...

I thought that was interesting.

[GeorgeGist]

3. Episode 2. Coming Soon.