(VOVworld) –  France’s AFP on Wednesday publicized a letter from the US Attorney General to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) saying that the US Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into tax avoidance schemes exposed by the Panama Papers.

Police outside the Mossack-Fonseca offices in Panama City. The firm’s leaked Panama Papers revealed how the world’s wealthy and powerful used offshore companies to stash assets. (Photo: Carlos Jasso/Reuters)

The US Attorney’s Office said it wants to speak with the ICIJ representative about the Panama Papers as soon as possible.
US President Barack Obama has described the revelations from the leaks as “important stuff” and global tax avoidance as a “huge problem”. He called on US authorities to take steps to prevent companies from taking advantage of judicial loopholes to avoid taxes.