In 2018, the DOJ unsealed criminal charges against Raul Gorrin Belisario, a well-known Venezuelan businessman and described by the DOJ as a citizen and national of Venezuela who at various time periods relevant to the charges was a resident of the U.S. with a residence in Florida. (See here).
According to the criminal indictment, Gorrin “offered and agreed to pay bribes to Foreign Official 1 [described as a high-level official with decision-making authority and influence within the Oficina Nacional del Tesoro (ONT), the Venezuelan National Treasury] for purposes of obtaining and retaining business; specifically, influencing and inducing Foreign Official 1 to permit Gorrin to conduct foreign currency exchanges for the Venezuelan government and securing an improper advantage in acquiring the right to conduct such exchange transactions.”
Specifically, the DOJ alleges that Gorrin caused bribe payments totaling at least approximately $94 million to be paid for the benefit of Foreign Official 1 including, after Foreign Official 1 left office, for introducing him to Foreign Official 2 (also described as a high-level official with decision-making authority and influence within the ONT) and facilitating the continuation of the bribery scheme with Foreign Official 2.
According to the DOJ, in addition to wiring money to and for the benefit of Foreign Official 1, Foreign Official 2, and Co-conspirator 1 (described as the spouse of Foreign Official 2), Gorrin “also purchased and paid expenses related to approximately three jets, a yacht, multiple champion horses, and numerous high-end watches … for Foreign Official 1’s benefit” and “purchased and paid expenses related to jets and a yacht .. for Foreign Official 2 and Co-Conspirator 1’s benefit.”
In addition to the FCPA charge, Gorrin was also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and several substantive money laundering offenses.
Two of the alleged bribe recipients – Claudia Patricia Díaz Guillen and her husband Adrian José Velásquez – were found guilty of money laundering charges in a U.S. trial in December 2022. (See here).
Earlier this week, the two individuals were sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. (See here).
In the DOJ’s release, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite of the DOJ Criminal Division stated:
“As a result of the Department of Justice’s relentless efforts, the defendants will serve lengthy prison terms for their roles in a massive bribery and money laundering scheme in which Díaz abused her role as the Venezuelan National Treasurer. As this prosecution demonstrates, the Criminal Division never wavers in its determination to hold accountable corrupt officials who subvert the rule of law and use our financial system to launder money related to their illicit schemes.”
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida stated:
“The sentences imposed against former Venezuelan National Treasurer Díaz and her husband send a clear message: The United States will not tolerate its financial systems being used as personal money laundering tools by corrupt foreign officials.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Buckley of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami Field Office stated:
“The significant sentencings and judgments imposed against Díaz and Velásquez Figueroa demonstrate that individuals who use their positions of trust to launder illicitly obtained funds through the U.S. financial systems will be held accountable.”
As noted in the DOJ’s release, Gorrin is currently a fugitive residing in Venezuela.
