Authorities in the United States are stepping up their scrutiny of corruption allegations surrounding the disposal of the National Asset Management Agency’s properties in Northern Ireland.

The US department of justice has sent a subpoena for information to Cerberus Capital Management in New York, the $25 billion investment firm which acquired Nama’s 850- property portfolio last year for £1.3 billion (€1.77 billion).

The affair centres on claims by Independent TD Mick Wallace that a Northern Ireland politician or party was to gain up to £7 million from the transaction.

There was no comment last night from Cerberus on the subpoena.

“Cerberus has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has welcomed any inquiry associated with the acquisition of the Project Eagle portfolio,” said the firm’s spokesman in Belfast.

Third parties

“As best we know, these matters are related to the alleged conduct of third parties and not to Cerberus or any of its affiliates.”

The US department of justice did not respond last night to a request from The Irish Times to set out the scope, status and remit of its examination.

There was no comment from Nama on the American interest in the affair.

“As we’ve said since this issue first arose, there are no allegations or any wrongdoing and no investigations on the sale side of this transaction and we cannot comment on what might have occurred on the purchase side,” Nama’s spokesman said.

Nama has sent a 300-page response to detailed questions from the Stormont committee which is investigating the affair. It said the sale was conducted in line with best international practice.