Ex-Vitol Group oil dealer Javier Aguilar faces as a lot as 40 years in jail and can forfeit greater than $7.1 million in two U.S. bribery circumstances after getting into a responsible plea in federal courtroom.
Aguilar, 50, had already been convicted in Brooklyn, New York, in February of orchestrating an elaborate scheme to bribe Mexican and Ecuadorian officers, however he pleaded responsible to a second set of fees Wednesday, consolidating the 2 circumstances, federal prosecutors mentioned in a assertion. The transfer permits US District Decide Eric Vitaliano to impose the sentence in each prosecutions.
In each circumstances — the second was initially filed in Texas — Aguilar was accused of violating conspiracy, international bribery and cash laundering fees. In Brooklyn, prosecutors alleged that he gave out money funds at resorts, airports, and even in a car parking zone as a part of a scheme to win $500 million in enterprise.
“With in the present day’s responsible plea the defendant admits his position within the widespread corruption of the worldwide commodities market and to casting apart legal guidelines and guidelines that apply to all to unfairly line the pockets of the few,” Brooklyn US Lawyer Breon Peace mentioned in a press release.
The five-count Texas indictment accused Aguilar, a former supervisor and oil dealer, of colluding to bribe Mexican officers working for PEMEX Procurement Worldwide.
Ilene Jaroslaw, a lawyer for Aguilar, mentioned the plea resolves all the pending fees in opposition to her consumer.
“Mr. Aguilar acknowledged duty for his position at Vitol, and we now have confidence that Decide Vitaliano will impose a good sentence,” Jaroslaw mentioned in a press release.
Vitol, the world’s largest impartial oil dealer, agreed in 2020 to a $160 million settlement with the DOJ over allegations that it paid bribes in three international locations. Aguilar was charged in 2020 with orchestrating a five-year bribery and money-laundering scheme whereas working at Vitol’s subsidiary in Houston.
The Texas case is US v. Aguilar, 23-cr-00335, US District Court docket, Southern District of Texas (Houston).
