U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Tuesday, September 23, 2025) – A Louisville, Ky., man, Benard Babot, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell to 66 months in prison, for conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to his plea agreement, Babot knew that his coconspirators communicated with businesses located around the world, to entice them to send funds to purchase goods his coconspirators falsely purported to sell. Babot opened at least 25 business bank accounts in the actual name of, or a very similar name to, these legitimate companies, which were international food, agricultural, or chemical supply companies, for the purpose of receiving money from the victim purchasers. He opened some of these accounts in Lexington, Kentucky. According to documents filed with the Court, Babot also set up shell companies with Secretaries of State imitating the legitimate companies…