Recently, the DOJ announced criminal charges against U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Farlis Almonte and Ricardo Rodriguez.
According to the DOJ release: “Almonte and Rodriguez were arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Bring in Aliens for Financial Gain, Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain and Receipt of Bribes by Public Official. According to court records, the officers allowed dozens of cars carrying undocumented immigrants to pass through their inspection lanes at the San Ysidro Port of Entry from August 2024 through January 2025, in exchange for cash.”
Relevant to the bribery charges, the criminal complaint alleges:
“Almonte [and Rodriguez], a public official, directly and indirectly did corruptly demand, seek, receive, accept, and agree to receive and accept something of value personally in return for being induced to do an act and omit to do an act in violation of his official duty; that is, in exchange for money, Almonte [and Rodriguez] agreed to admit aliens into the United States through the San Ysidro Port of Entry while he operated the primary inspection booths as a United States Customs and Border Protection Officer; in violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 201(b)(2)(C).”
I am a U.S. citizen.
Am I thus a victim of the alleged criminal conduct? Do I deserve compensation? Does my community deserve a new school or playground?
I personally believe that the answers to the above questions is no as there is little direct casual link to the alleged activity and me.
Why then in the context of FCPA enforcement actions have some advocated compensating the “victims” of the conduct violating the FCPA – namely the citizens of the foreign official’s country? (See here for example).
I have long opposed such feel good measures for a variety of reasons. (See here, here here, and here).
Perhaps though I need to start viewing myself as a victim of the numerous U.S. bribery and corruption schemes involving U.S. officials.
Will anyone start advocating on my behalf?
