A federal jury in Miami has convicted the former Comptroller General of Ecuador, Carlos Ramon Polit Faggioni, for his involvement in a $10 million international bribery and money laundering scheme. According to court documents, Polit solicited and received bribes from Odebrecht S.A. and an Ecuadorian businessman in exchange for various favors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, stated, “As Comptroller General of Ecuador, Carlos Ramon Polit Faggioni was entrusted to protect the people of Ecuador from the misuse of public funds... The Criminal Division is committed to ensuring that the United States is not a safe haven for the illicit funds of corrupt officials.”
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida emphasized, “This verdict is a reminder of our office’s firm commitment to investigating and prosecuting corrupt foreign officials who bring their criminally obtained funds to South Florida to buy real estate.”
Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami added, “This conviction shows that despite your wealth, title, or influence, nobody is above the law... HSI and its partners on the El Dorado Financial Crimes Task Forces will continue to pursue corrupt foreign officials who utilize their official positions for their own illicit gain.”
Polit was convicted on multiple counts, including conspiracy to commit money laundering, concealment money laundering, and engaging in transactions in criminally derived property. He could face up to 20 years in prison for each count of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering, as well as up to 10 years in prison for each count of engaging in transactions in criminally derived property. A sentencing date for Polit has not yet been determined.
Odebrecht S.A. had previously pleaded guilty in 2016 to violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in connection with a scheme to pay millions in bribes to public officials in multiple countries, including Ecuador.
The investigation was led by HSI’s Miami Field Office, with assistance from the FBI International Corruption Squad and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. Prosecutors from various departments are handling the case, with a focus on FCPA and Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA) matters.
The Justice Department expressed gratitude for the cooperation of law enforcement agencies in Ecuador, Brazil, Panama, and Curacao during the investigation. Further details about the Justice Department’s efforts to combat corruption can be found on their official website.