Harris Corporation ("Harris") was a Delaware corporation headquartered in Melbourne, Florida. Through its Digital Telephone Systems ("DTS") division, located in Novato, California, Harris manufactured telephone switching systems.
John D. Iacobucci resided in Novato, California, and was a Vice President and General Manager of DTS.
Ronald L. Schultz resided in Novato, California, and, until about February 1, 1989, was Director of Human Relations and Facilities at DTS. On or about February 1, 1989, Schultz became Director of Administration at DTS and, until about July 1, 1989, assumed additional responsibility for Contracts Administration.
According to the allegations in the indictment, Harris, Iacobucci, and Schultz made payments totalling $22,845 to Robert D. O'Hara, doing business as Polo Associates Corporation, knowing that a portion of such money would be given to various officials of the Government of Colombia to use their influence in order for Harris to obtain and retain telecommunications contracts with the Government of Colombia.
On August 31, 1990, the DOJ indicted Harris, Iacobucci, and Schultz on five counts of conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery and books & records provisions of the FCPA as well as substantive violations of the anti-bribery and books & recods provisions of the FCPA. The case was taken to trial, and on March 19, 1991, after the prosecution made its case, the judge granted a verdict of acquittal on all charges. The judge found that no reasonable jury could have convicted the defendants based on the evidence presented.