As highlighted in this prior post, in 2012 BizJet resolved an $11.8 million FCPA enforcement action “for bribing government officials in Latin America to secure contracts to perform aircraft services for government agencies.”
Jald Jensen (a Sales Manager at BizJet International Sales and Support Inc. – a Tulsa, Oklahoma based provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services) was among a group of individuals criminally charged with FCPA offenses in connection with the same core conduct.
Jensen evaded law enforcement for approximately thirteen years, but as highlighted in this recent post was arrested earlier this year in Panama and extradited to the U.S.
Last week, Jensen pleaded guilty in the N.D. of Oklahoma to conspiracy to violate the FCPA’s anti-bribery provisions.
As stated in this DOJ release:
“In his role as a sales manager, Jensen bribed foreign officials with authority and influence over contract awards and conspired with others to unlawfully direct business to BizJet. Jensen then conspired with others to conceal and funnel money to the foreign officials from various bank accounts throughout the United States, including through Jensen’s shell company, Avionica International & Associates Inc.”
In the DOJ release, Assistant Attorney General Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division stated:
“This defendant and his co-conspirators put profits above ethics and fair competition. Mr. Jensen’s arrest, extradition, and guilty plea marks the final conviction in this long-running case. We will continue to enforce the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by aggressively pursuing those who use bribery and corruption to gain an unfair advantage in international business.”
U.S. Attorney Christopher Nassar for the Northern District of Oklahoma stated:
“[This] conviction underscores our commitment to accountability. The defendant was returned to the United States to face charges stemming from a 2012 indictment, which alleged his role in a scheme to pay bribes to government officials in Latin America while serving as a sales manager for BizJet. We thank our law enforcement partners whose coordinated efforts made this extradition possible.”
Assistant Director in Charge Darren Cox of the FBI Washington Field Office stated:
“Jensen finally faces justice for his years long scheme to bribe foreign government officials to win business for BizJet. His plea reflects the FBI’s long memory and global reach. We remain steadfast in our commitment to holding corporations and individuals accountable for international corruption.”
