22 Indicted in FBI Sting on Paying Foreign Bribes

[Scurrilous]

Source: ABC News

22 who work for military, law enforcement suppliers accused of scheming to pay foreign bribes

<snip>

"Twenty-two executives and employees at suppliers to the military and law enforcement agencies were arrested on the eve of their industry's annual trade show in Las Vegas after a 2 1/2-year undercover sting operation aimed at schemes to bribe a foreign official.

The Justice Department called the case the largest single investigation and prosecution of individuals in the history of the 1977 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which bars bribery of foreign government officials. It also is the first large-scale use of an undercover operation in enforcing the corrupt practices act.

Twenty-one of the 22 people caught up in the case were arrested in Las Vegas, where they were preparing to attend the 2010 Shooting, Hunting & Outdoor Trade Show, a convention with more than 55,000 attendees at the Sands Expo & Convention Center. The convention started Tuesday.

The companies supply a wide range of products to the military and law enforcement, from machine guns and grenade launchers to armored vehicles and bulletproof vests."

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=9604567

[demoleft]

1. FBI charges 22 over alleged foreign bribery

Source: bbc

The US has charged 22 executives or employees of security-related firms with conspiring to bribe an African country over a $15m (£9m) arms sale.

Some 150 FBI agents took part in an operation involving a sting, which led to the arrest of 21 suspects in Las Vegas and one in Miami.

Five of those charged are UK nationals and City of London Police were also involved in the operation.
...
According to court documents, the accused engaged in a scheme to pay bribes to the minister of defence for an African country in order to win a portion of a $15m deal to outfit its presidential guard.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8469117.stm

[depakid]

2. "Some 150 FBI agents took part in an operation "

Funny how that sort of commitment hasn't been applied to the financial industry (and its supposed regulators) right here at home.

[RamboLiberal]

3. Whoa - busted them at the SHOT show which is the gun industry's

biggest gathering. One of those caught was a VP of Smith & Wesson. And a former Secret Service agent.

.S. authorities accused 22 people, including an executive for Smith & Wesson Holding Corp (SWHC.O), with violating federal bribery laws involving the sale of various arms, the U.S. Justice Department said on Tuesday.

The indictments charged the individuals, including Smith & Wesson Vice President for Sales Amaro Goncalves, with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and conspiracy to commit money laundering involving the sale of items including guns and body armor.

Also charged was the chief executive of Protective Products of America Inc (PPA.TO), R. Patrick Caldwell, who previously worked for the U.S. Secret Service for 27 years and was the special agent in charge of the division for the vice president's protection.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1920007620100119?type=marketsNews

K&R

[medeak]

4. isn't it standard practice to give commision for deals made?

to foreign countries?

[alfredo]

5. that's a lot easier to wait for them to gather in one place, than to have to

go all over the country.

[ret5hd]

6. Names. Gotta post the names:

Daniel Alvirez, 32, and Lee Allen Tolleson, 25, the president and director of acquisitions and logistics at a company in Bull Shoals, Ark., that manufactures and sells law enforcement and military equipment;

Helmie Ashiblie, 44, the vice president and founder of a company in Woodbridge, Va., that supplies tactical bags and other security-related articles for law enforcement agencies and governments worldwide;

Andrew Bigelow, 40, the managing partner and director of government programs for a Sarasota, Fla., company that sells machine guns, grenade launchers and other small arms and accessories;

R. Patrick Caldwell, 61, and Stephen Gerard Giordanella, 50, the current and former chief executive officers of a Sunrise, Fla., company that designs and manufactures concealable and tactical body armor;

Yochanan R. Cohen, aka Yochi Cohen, 47, the chief executive officer of a San Francisco company that manufactures security equipment, including body armor and ballistic plates;

Haim Geri, 50, the president of a North Miami Beach, Fla., company that serves as a sales agent for companies in the law enforcement and military products industries;
Amaro Goncalves, 49, the vice president of sales for a Springfield, Mass., company that designs and manufactures firearms, firearm safety/security products, rifles, firearms systems and accessories;

John Gregory Godsey, aka Greg Godsey, 37, and Mark Frederick Morales, 37, the owner and agent of a Decatur, Ga., company that sells ammunition and other law enforcement and military equipment;

Saul Mishkin, 38, the owner and chief executive officer of an Aventura, Fla., company that sells law enforcement and military equipment;

John M. Mushriqui, 28, and Jeana Mushriqui, 30, the director of international development and general counsel/U.S. manager of an Upper Darby, Penn., company that manufactures and exports bulletproof vests and other law enforcement and military equipment;

David R. Painter, 56, and Lee M. Wares, 43, the chairman and director of a United Kingdom company that markets armored vehicles;

Pankesh Patel, 43, the managing director of a United Kingdom company that acts as sales agent for companies in the law enforcement and military products industries;

Ofer Paz, 50, the president and chief executive officer of an Israeli company that acts as sales agent for companies in the law enforcement and military products industries;

Jonathan M. Spiller, 58, the owner and president of a Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., company that markets and sells law enforcement and military equipment;

Israel Weisler, aka Wayne Weisler, 63, and Michael Sacks, 66, owners and co-chief executive officers of a Stearns, Ky., company that designs, manufactures and sells armor products, including body armor;

John Benson Wier III, 46, the president of a St. Petersburg, Fla., company that sells tactical and ballistic equipment.

[east texas lib]

7. Same as it ever was...

For those who are interested, here's an oldy but goody...

The Arms Bazaar by Anthony Sampson, Bantam Books, 1978. Very interesting read on the international arms trade.