As highlighted in this prior post, in 2021 Frederick Cushmore Jr. (a former executive of Pennsylvania-based coal mining company Corsa Coal Corp.) was criminally charged and pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge to violate the FCPA’s anti-bribery provisions in connection with a bribery scheme in Egypt involving Al Nasr Company for Coke and Chemicals (an alleged Egyptian state-owned and state-controlled entity).
In 2022, in connection with the same core allegations, the DOJ also criminally charged Charles Hunter Hobson (another former executive of Corsa Coal). The charges against Hobson went to trial, at trial Cushmore testified for the DOJ, and Hobson was found guilty in February 2026.
With post-trial mentions pending, Hobson’s counsel recently filed a motion to continue sentencing revealing “new sentencing-related information disclosed by the government.”
The motion contains, as exhibits, two FBI 302’s.
According to a July 28, 2026 FBI 302, the government interviewed an individual related to Cushmore through marriage after the individual “left a voicemail with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the W.D. of Pennsylvania because [the individual] believed he had information that the Government should be made aware of prior to Cushmore’s pending sentencing.”
The 302 states: “[The individual] believed Cushmore continued to be involved in illegal activity similar to the conduct at Corsa Coal that led to Cushmore’s guilty plea.” [The individual] believed this based on statements Cushmore had made directly to [him] in conversations throughout the years.”
The second 302, dated September 15, 2026, summarizes an interview with Cushmore which notes that since February 2024 Cushmore has worked for Avani, a subsidiary of an Indian company called Rawmet. According to the 302, Cushmore’s job is to source coal for Avani’s business, including coal to be used at Avani’s coke plant, and that he makes approximately “$30,000 per month.”
The 302 states:
“Since leaving Corsa, Cushmore had not paid any bribes to any government officials, nor had he made any promises or offers of bribes to any government officials either directly or indirectly through an agent. Cushmore was not aware of anyone else employed by Avani having paid or made a promise or offer to pay any bribes.”
Hobson’s motion states: “Hobson must investigate the allegation before he responds to it. The allegation bears on Cushmore’s credibility and on Hobson’s relative culpability, both of which the Court will consider at sentencing in the event the Court does not dismiss the case, grant a new trial, or acquit Hobson.
