Daisy Rafoi-Bleuler Archives

Court Dismisses FCPA Charges Based On Lack Of Jurisdiction, Lack Of Due Process, Vagueness, And Statute Of Limitation Issues

By Mike Koehler on July 19, 2022 in 18 USC 3292, Agent, Daisy Rafoi-Bleuler, FCPA Jurisprudence, Foreign Nationals, Jurisdiction, Paulo Casqueiro-Murta, Statute of Limitations

As highlighted in this prior post in September 2019 the DOJ announced the unsealing of a criminal indictment against (among others) Paulo Casqueiro-Murta in connection with an alleged bribery scheme involving Venezuela’s state-owned and state-controlled energy company, PDVSA.

According to the DOJ, Murta (a citizen of Portugal and Switzerland) provided financial services to various co-defendants (including former employees of PDVSA) in connection with various bribery schemes and he was charged with directly violating or assisting others in violating the FCPA and money laundering laws.

Recently, Judge Kenneth Hoyt (S.D. Tex) granted Murta’s motion to dismiss the charges based on lack of jurisdiction, lack of due process, vagueness, and statute of limitation issues.

Hats Off To Urofsky

By Mike Koehler on January 18, 2022 in Daisy Rafoi-Bleuler, FCPA Reform, Jurisdiction, Obtain or Retain Business, Parent – Subsidiary Issues, Roger Ng

Shearman & Sterling recently released its annual “Recent Trends and Patterns in the Enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.”

Year in and year out, it is one of the best law firm generated FCPA year in review publications.

For years, Philip Urofsky (a former Assistant Chief of the DOJ Fraud Section where he handled FCPA matters) has been a primary author of the publication and in connection with this year’s release Urofsky announced that it would be his last “FCPA Trends and Patterns” publication as he is retiring.

DOJ Files Notice Of Appeal Regarding Dismissal Of Rafoi-Bleuler Charges

By Mike Koehler on December 10, 2021 in Daisy Rafoi-Bleuler, FCPA Appeals, Jurisdiction

As highlighted in this prior post, in 2019 Daisy Rafoi-Bleuler (a citizen of Switzerland and partner in a Swiss Wealth Management firm) was criminally charged with Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and related offenses for allegedly directing bribes to various individuals at PDVSA (Venezuela’s state-owned and state-controlled energy company).

As highlighted in this post, a judge recently dismissed the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (and related charges) for lack of jurisdiction while also hinting that the term “agent” in the FCPA is unconstitutionally vague.

Court Dismisses Criminal FCPA (And Related Charges) Against Rafoi-Bleuler For Lack Of Jurisdiction And Also Hints That The Term “Agent” In The FCPA Is Unconstitutionally Vague

By Mike Koehler on November 23, 2021 in Daisy Rafoi-Bleuler, FCPA Jurisprudence, Jurisdiction, Lawrence Hoskins

As highlighted in this prior post, in 2019 Daisy Rafoi-Bleuler (a citizen of Switzerland and partner in a Swiss Wealth Management firm) became the latest individual to be criminally charged with Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and related offenses for allegedly directing bribes to various individuals at PDVSA (Venezuela’s state-owned and state-controlled energy company).

According to the DOJ, Rafoi opened Swiss bank accounts and facilitated financial transactions for various co-conspirators to help facilitate the bribery scheme.

As highlighted in this post, in late October 2020 Rafoi-Bleuler filed a motion to dismiss the criminal charges. In summary fashion, the motion argued: “The indictment of Ms. Rafoi-Bleuler, a citizen and resident of Switzerland, continues the worrisome trend by the Department of Justice to stretch the reach of the United States’ criminal statutes beyond Congress’ intent in an attempt to police the world. Despite having violated no laws in Switzerland and having no contact with the United States …, Ms. Rafoi-Bleuler finds herself hailed into a U.S. court in contravention of clear statutory language, legal precedent, and international norms. Courts have increasingly, and correctly, rejected such attempts by the government and this Court should continue as well …”.

Recently, Judge Kenneth Hoyt (S.D. Tex.) granted the motion to dismiss.

Motion To Dismiss Argues That The DOJ’s Case “Continues The Worrisome Trend By The DOJ To Stretch The Reach Of The United States’ Criminal Statutes Beyond Congress’ Intent In An Attempt To Police The World”

By Mike Koehler on March 15, 2021 in Agency Issues, Daisy Rafoi-Bleuler, Jurisdiction, Lawrence Hoskins

As highlighted in this prior post, in 2019 Daisy Rafoi-Bleuler (a citizen of Switzerland and partner in a Swiss Wealth Management firm) became the latest individual to be criminally charged with Foreign Corrupt Practices Act offenses for allegedly directing bribes to various individuals at Venezuela’s state-owned and state-controlled energy company, PDVSA.

According to the DOJ, Rafoi opened Swiss bank accounts and facilitated financial transactions for various co-conspirators to help facilitate the bribery scheme.

As highlighted in this post, in late October 2020, Rafoi-Bleuler (through her counsel Matthew Reinhard, Andrew Wise, and Margot Laporte at Miller & Chevalier) filed a motion to dismiss the criminal charges against her.

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Court Dismisses FCPA Charges Based On Lack Of Jurisdiction, Lack Of Due Process, Vagueness, And Statute Of Limitation Issues

Hats Off To Urofsky

DOJ Files Notice Of Appeal Regarding Dismissal Of Rafoi-Bleuler Charges

Court Dismisses Criminal FCPA (And Related Charges) Against Rafoi-Bleuler For Lack Of Jurisdiction And Also Hints That The Term “Agent” In The FCPA Is Unconstitutionally Vague

Motion To Dismiss Argues That The DOJ’s Case “Continues The Worrisome Trend By The DOJ To Stretch The Reach Of The United States’ Criminal Statutes Beyond Congress’ Intent In An Attempt To Police The World”

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