Former United Nations President John Ashe is being charged with taking $1.3 million in bribes, and spending them on luxury goods. Prosecutors claim that he "Converted the UN into a platform for profit."

The incidents occurred between 2011 and 2014, during Ashe's tenure as president. He, along with five others, are being tried in a New York State court.

Current Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says that he is "shocked and deeply troubled" by the charges.