U.S. Senate Committee on Finance presses Treasury for answers on DOJ’s proposed deal to pause the Halkbank sanctions-evasion case

U.S. Senate Committee on Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden wrote to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent seeking information on the Department of the Treasury’s role in the Department of Justice’s decision to pause its prosecution of Turkiye Halk Bankasi A.S. (Halkbank) and reach an agreement that would allow the bank to avoid acknowledging criminal wrongdoing or paying fines, subject to court approval. Wyden questioned whether political interference influenced the outcome in a case involving allegations that Halkbank facilitated Iran’s evasion of U.S. sanctions as part of a large money-laundering scheme. The letter asks whether Treasury recommended to DOJ that Halkbank should or should not pay a fine, whether Treasury initiated an investigation or began work toward determining a fine and when, and whether the Office of Foreign Assets Control reached factual conclusions or made recommendations on a potential regulatory fine amount. Wyden also requested details of any meetings or communications since January 20, 2025 between Treasury officials and Turkish officials, Turkish officials or Halkbank representatives, and the President or White House officials regarding Halkbank, citing news reports of Turkish efforts to press for dismissal of the charges. Wyden requested responses by April 15, 2026.