WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has denied an attempt by the Justice Department to seize a $38.5 million Gulfstream jet from the son of Equatorial Guinea’s president.

Recommended Stories

Socialism isn’t a system that works: Hugo Gurdon

June Social Security direct payment worth $994 goes out in five days

Third round of May Social Security payments goes out today

The Justice Department had alleged that Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue (MAN-gay) bought the jet with money derived from extortion, misappropriation, theft and embezzlement. But U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras ruled Friday that the government did not link the jet to any specific illicit acts, and dismissed the civil forfeiture complaint.

Nguema, an Equatorial Guinea government minister, is the son of that nation’s president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who has frequently been accused of human rights abuses and corruption.