DOJ Files Notice Of Appeal Regarding Rovirosa Dismissal
Last month, U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth Hoyt (S.D. Texas) granted a defense motion to dismiss the criminal indictment and motion for acquittal in U.S. v. Rovirosa.
For prior posts on the case, including the bizarre trial, and post trial briefs see here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Judge Hoyt’s Memorandum and Order Dismissing the Indictment and Granting an Acquittal provided the following background.
“At pretrial proceedings, during trial and post-trial, Rovirosa asserted objections, primarily concerning his Sixth Amendment right to confront government witnesses whose testimony was necessary, he argued, to a fair trial and that was, instead offered through electronic messages. His objections focused primarily on the electronic messages between himself and Avila and between Avila and several alleged co-conspirators. These offerings, he contends violate Bruton v. United States, 391 U.S. 123, 88 S.Ct. 1620 (1968), as they involved conversations between Avila and alleged co-conspirators, and crucial Supreme Court precedent that addresses the interphase between the admission of “hearsay” statements allegedly made by Avila and co-conspirators, and the Sixth Amendment.”
Clear Channel Generally Prevails In FCPA-Related Insurance Coverage Dispute
In 2023, Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings (a public subsidiary of iHeartMedia and one of the world’s largest outdoor advertising corporations) resolved a $26.1 million FCPA enforcement action.
The SEC stated: “This matter concerns violations of the anti-bribery, recordkeeping, and internal accounting controls provisions of the FCPA by Clear Channel in connection with the actions of its agent, a former indirect, majority-owned Chinese subsidiary, Clear Media Limited. From at least 2012 through 2017, Clear Media bribed Chinese government officials, both directly and through third parties, to obtain concession contracts required to sell advertising services to public and private sector clients for display on public bus shelters, street furniture, and billboards. In addition, Clear Media used sham intermediaries and false invoices to generate cash for off-book consultants engaged to win advertising business from government and private customers. From at least 2012 through 2019, Clear Channel failed to ensure that sufficient internal accounting controls were in place at Clear Media. Clear Channel received approximately $16.4 million in benefits as a result of Clear Media’s improper payments, which were inaccurately recorded as legitimate business expenses in Clear Channel’s consolidated books and records.”
Checking In On SQM’s Scrutiny
As highlighted in this prior post, in 2017 Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) (a chemical and mining company based in Chile with American Depository Shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange) resolved a $30.5 million FCPA enforcement action in relation to alleged conduct with Chilean officials.
The enforcement action included: (i) a DOJ criminal information charging SQM with violating the FCPA’s books and records and internal control provisions that was resolved via a deferred prosecution agreement in which the company agreed to pay a $15.5 million criminal penalty; and (ii) an SEC administrative order finding FCPA books and records and internal violations in which the company agreed to pay $15 million civil penalty.
Approximately two years ago, SQM disclosed:
FCPA Enforcement Action Against Drillmec Executive Unsealed
As highlighted here, in March 2026 the DOJ filed a criminal information against Alfonso Wilson (CEO of Oil Technologies Consortium) alleging that he and others obtained and retained a December 2021 Contract with PEMEX for an Equipment Company through corrupt and fraudulent means including by offering and paying bribes to a Foreign Official.
The Equipment Company (described as a company based in Texas) is Drillmec.
The Foreign Official was described as a senior executive at PEMEX Exploración y Producción (“PEP” – a wholly owned exploration and production subsidiary of PEMEX) between 2018 and 2021.
As highlighted in this recent post, Wilson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the FCPA’s anti-bribery provisions and his sentencing is set for for June 26, 2026.
Earlier this week, a prior related criminal action was unsealed against Diego Bergonzi (pictured) involving the same core conduct.
Judge Acquits Rovirosa “He Is ORDERED Released”
This morning, Ramon Alexandro Rovirosa Martinez woke up in federal prison where he has been held since early December 2025 after being found guilty of FCPA and related offenses in connection with alleged Mexican bribery scheme.
As reported here, the trial featured no fact witnesses which led the judge to block the government from introducing most of its evidence until their closing argument.
Earlier today (as shown in the picture), Roviorsa was released as U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth Hoyt (S.D. Texas) granted his motion to dismiss the criminal indictment and granted his motion for acquittal.
For prior posts on the case, including the bizarre trial, and post trial briefs see here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Judge Hoyt’s Memorandum and Order Dismissing the Indictment and Granting an Acquittal provides the following background: