Can't help you with the AML questions, however:
Also is there an alternative to MT Gox to safely sell bitcoins and get the cash into fiat?
The factors that matter for any cash-out decision are:
- Where are you located (country)?
- How much are you looking to trade?
- What type of cash are you looking to receive?
- How soon do you need access to the proceeds?
- Is privacy important?
A fairly comprehensive list of cash-out options is:
-
http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Selling_bitcoins