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Oil Trader Was Totally Just Messing When He Suggested Having A Judge Killed

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That was a joke people took out of context. But he was serious about bribing the guy.

Two oil traders with ties to former international fugitive Marc Rich have been indicted in a multimillion-dollar kickback scheme that includes allegations of wire fraud and money laundering. Clyde Meltzer, of Houston, and Bernard Langley of the United Kingdom appeared in Houston federal court Wednesday to plead not guilty and seek release on bail. They have been in federal detention since Dec. 9.

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During a Nov. 1 lunch meeting at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House in the Galleria, Meltzer allegedly discussed his frustration with trying to get a ship he owned and its crew released by Venezuelan authorities. He described having to pay nearly a million dollars over the previous six months to lawyers and to bribe prison guards to keep them from torturing the crew, according to testimony. He was also negotiating with a Venezuelan judge to make the case "go away." Meltzer allegedly joked "it would probably be cheaper to kill the judge than pay the fee," according to court testimony about the conversation, and said he could have the job done for as little as $150,000.

Two Oil Traders Held In Alleged Kickbacks [Chronicle]

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