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Allen Stanford in CIA spying row

Sir Allen Stanford, the Texan billionaire who organised the $20 million winner-take-all match in the Caribbean, is now at the centre of an international spying row. Just before the 'T-20 for 20' clash, officials from Venezuelan military intelligence raided a branch of his offshore bank over claims that its employees were paid by the CIA to spy on the south American country. Files and documents were seized for inspection. The controversial revelation may not do much for Stanford's cause after the England media came up with several queries over the way the match was conducted and the manner in which the billionaire behaved with WAGs. The Stanford series is expected to come under microscopic review at the ECB soon. The Stanford International Bank handles $51 billion in worldwide deposits and assets. Sir Allen has built up a personal fortune of $2.2 billion despite a period of bankruptcy in the 1980s.