A Miami resident has admitted guilt in connection with an international bribery and money laundering scheme involving millions of dollars. John Christopher Polit, 43, formerly a banker, laundered funds intended for his father, Carlos Ramon Polit Faggioni, the former Comptroller General of Ecuador. The illicit activities took place through the U.S. financial system and were invested in South Florida.
From 2010 to 2015, Carlos Polit received bribes from Odebrecht S.A., a construction company based in Brazil. In exchange, he used his position to eliminate fines that would benefit Odebrecht's operations in Ecuador. Additionally, in 2015, he accepted a bribe from an Ecuadorian businessman to assist with contracts related to the state-owned insurance company of Ecuador.
Between 2010 and 2018, John Polit assisted his father by laundering these proceeds through Panamanian accounts associated with intermediary companies and using Florida companies registered under associates' names. The laundered funds were used to purchase real estate and businesses such as restaurants and a dry cleaner.
John Polit has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and faces up to ten years in prison at his sentencing scheduled for January 30, 2025. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after reviewing relevant guidelines and factors.
Carlos Polit was sentenced on October 1st to ten years following his conviction at trial in April. Odebrecht S.A., involved more broadly in paying nearly $800 million in bribes across multiple countries including Ecuador, pleaded guilty back in December 2016 for violating anti-bribery laws.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri announced this development alongside U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami also contributed.
The investigation is being handled by HSI Miami’s El Dorado Task Force with significant support from the FBI’s International Corruption Squad which initially investigated Odebrecht’s case.
Additionally, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance along with contributions from Ecuadorian law enforcement authorities.
Prosecutors Jil Simon and Alexander Kramer from the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are leading this case together with Senior Litigation Counsel Michael N. Berger for the Southern District of Florida.
For further information regarding FCPA enforcement efforts by the Justice Department can be found online at their official website dedicated to criminal fraud matters.