Bribery & corruptionMisused public fundsCourts & justice

US prosecutors allege a former Mongolian prime minister used two Manhattan apartments to launder proceeds of a mining-deal corruption scheme

Confidence: Confirmed · 2 sourcesMongolia · Oct 12, 2026

Subject of this story

Sükhbaataryn Batbold, Prime Minister of Mongolia (2009-2012)

Catrison Limited

Also named

Oversight

U.S. Department of Justice

What happened

In March 2024 the U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil forfeiture complaint (brought by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn) seeking two midtown Manhattan apartments worth about $14 million, bought in 2012 and 2015. Prosecutors allege former Mongolian Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold used his position to steer a $68 million 2011 mining contract to Catrison Limited, a Hong Kong-registered company they say he controlled through intermediaries, and that the apartments were bought with proceeds. Batbold has not been criminally charged. His lawyer Orin Snyder says he will defend himself against 'unfounded claims,' and in April 2026 Batbold sought to intervene in the case, arguing the allegations were recycled from a discredited private-investigator dossier. These are government allegations; no court has made findings.

Sources (2)

U.S. Department of JusticeAs alleged, former Mongolian Prime Minister Batbold used high-end New York City real estate as a cover for his illicit corruption scheme.

Voice of AmericaFormer Mongolian Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold allegedly crafted a corruption scheme, funneling millions of dollars from mining deals.

Response

Sükhbaataryn Batbold

Statement given

Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.

Catrison Limited

Not yet contacted

Not yet contacted for this story.

What happened next (0)

No outcome recorded yet.

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