It is also precisely the kind of Government that fostered the economic crisis in Asia: rule by unaccountable business cronies.

Emily's greedy business cronies, with their Harvard M.B.A.'s and red suspenders, could be "Serious Money" counterfeits.

Might some of the names be dear American business cronies of the Saudis?

He alleged that the President, the First Lady, members of the Colom Administration, and their business cronies were using Banrural to embezzle and launder money.

Some local politicians, mayors and their business cronies continue to allow the operation of clubs and bars where children are used as sexual commodities along with young women.

At first the administration had opposed the European proposal, fearing that President Slobodan Milosevic would divert the oil to his business cronies or to the Serbian military.

Vito had married a young beauty during the forties-the daughter of one of his "business" cronies- and she had borne him a son.

He is accused of blocking the investigation of another Bush appointee who is suspected of siphoning Iraq reconstruction contracts to business cronies.

They say he sent a girl last year who hadn't much of a voice at all just because her father had been an old business crony of his.

The conversation suggests that certain top judges are closely connected with the country's top leaders via political intermediaries and business cronies.