A former high-ranking UBS banker charged with helping Americans dodge taxes through secret Swiss bank accounts pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to fraud conspiracy charges linked to a U.S. tax evasion investigation that shook Swiss banking to the core. Raoul Weil, a 54-year-old Swiss citizen and former head of global wealth management at UBS, was charged five years ago with conspiring to help thousands of Americans conceal $20 billion in numbered accounts at the bank. He disputed the charges initially and was listed as a fugitive from U.S. justice until his arrest in mid-October in Bologna, Italy. Weil's appearance in federal court in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday was his second since he was extradited last month. He was granted a $10.5 million bond, pending his arraignment at his first court hearing on December 16. Wearing a blue suit, blue tie and glasses with thick, black frames, Weil said little in court other than confirm his name and age before the not guilty plea was entered on his
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