Viktor & George

Barack Obama has had a bit of trouble getting some of his nominees for cabinet posts confirmed, due to tax and other ethics issues. One appointee who sailed through is George Mitchell, Obama's special envoy for Arab-Israeli affairs. This emissary post didn't require Senate confirmation. If it had, Mitchell might have needed to answer questions about his oil investment in Azerbaijan with Viktor Kožený. The "Pirate of Prague" has been charged with larceny and with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act but claims his investors knew that bribes were part of the deal. Omega Advisors, with whom Mitchell was associated, agreed to settle with Kožený two weeks ago, apparently so its CEO wouldn't have to field awkward questions in court. Kožený is scheduled to face charges in New York in June. If the trial goes forward, big-mouthed Kožený could cause both Mitchell and Obama a bit of trouble. [Czech Republic United States of America Middle East Advisers Oily Rock Group Ltd.]