British police arrest Washington ’security consultant’ wanted in US on fraud charges

UK police arrest man wanted in US on fraud charges

LONDON — British police have arrested a former Washington security consultant accused by U.S. prosecutors of defrauding a client of more than $2 million.

Kevin Halligen was indicted in Washington on Nov. 12, accused of taking $2.1 million from lawyers for the Dutch firm Trafigura to secure the release of two executives arrested in Ivory Coast. Prosecutors say 48-year-old Halligen used the money for personal benefit, including buying a Virginia mansion.

Staff at a hotel in Oxford, southern England said Halligen was arrested earlier this week when the manager called police after recognizing him from a newspaper report.

Thames Valley Police said Wednesday they had arrested a 48-year-old man at the hotel.