Justice Department calls Swiss Bank a 'fugitive'

NEW YORK — The Justice Department is calling Switzerland's largest private bank a fugitive from justice after it didn't show up for a court hearing in New York.

Wegelin & Co. is charged with conspiring with American clients to hide $1.2 billion from the Internal Revenue Service.

The bank was indicted on Feb. 2. Since then, U.S. officials haven't found a way to move the case forward.

Wegelin doesn't have an office in the U.S.

The bank was summoned to appear before a federal judge at 3 p.m. Friday, but no one showed.

The judge presiding over the case asked prosecutors for a proposal on what to do next. The hearing ended without any immediate resolution.

An attorney said to represent the bank didn't return a phone message from the AP.