Lawyer seeks dismissal of charges in United Nations bribery case against Dominican diplomat

NEW YORK _ A Dominican Republic diplomat has asked a judge to toss out charges against him in a United Nations bribery scandal, saying he’s entitled to immunity.

Lawyers for Francis Lorenzo filed papers Tuesday in Manhattan federal court. They asked Judge Vernon Broderick to toss out bribery charges brought against the 48-year-old suspended ambassador to the United Nations.

The case has also resulted in charges against a former president of the United Nations General Assembly and a Chinese billionaire.

Attorney Brian Bieber says Lorenzo is entitled to immunity because he was working as a diplomat from 2011 to 2014, when the crimes are alleged to have occurred.

Lorenzo is free on $2 million bail. He surrendered to federal authorities on Oct. 6.

The Associated Press