Prosecutors at the human rights trial of former Liberian warlord Charles Taylor alleged Thursday that Christian televangelist Pat Robertson had lobbied the White House on Taylor's behalf in return for a gold mining contract. Prosecutors charged that the controversial pastor and former Republican presidential contender met with then-President George W. Bush on Taylor's behalf, allegedly in return for a contract to mine gold in southeast Liberia. Prosecutors have accused Taylor of ordering his subordinates to murder and mutilate civilians, cut off their limbs, use women and girls as sex slaves, abduct adults and children, and force them to perform labor or become fighters to further his economic and political ambitions in the region.
