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 | Enforcement Action Dataset

Stanford Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Clearinghouse a Collaboration with Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

Enforcement Action Dataset

 
United States of America v. Juan Carlos Castillo Rincon · Multiple Parties' Involvement with PDVSA in Venezuela between 2008 and 2017

Case Information

United States of America v. Juan Carlos Castillo Rincon

Related FCPA Matter:   Multiple Parties' Involvement with PDVSA in Venezuela between 2008 and 2017 Information

Case Information

Initiation Date:    04/11/2018  Information

Prosecuting Agency:    U.S. Department of Justice

Type of Action:    DOJ Criminal Proceeding

Docket or Case Number:    18-cr-00200

Court:    S.D. Texas

Name of Prosecuting Attorneys:   

  • Ryan K. Patrick, United States Attorney
  • John P. Pearson, Deputy Chief
  • Robert S. Johnson, Assistant United States Attorney
  • Sandra L. Moser, Acting Chief, Fraud Section, Criminal Division
  • David A. Last, Assistant Chief, Fraud Section, Criminal Division
  • Sarah E. Edwards, Trial Attorney, Fraud Section, Criminal Division
  • Jeremy R. Sanders, Trial Attorney, Fraud Section, Criminal Division

US Assisting Agencies:   

  • Internal Revenue Service
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Foreign Enforcement Action/Investigation:    Unknown

Foreign Assistance:   

  • Cayman Islands' Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (KY)

Origin of the Proceeding:    Unknown

Whistleblower:    Unknown

Case Status:    Resolved


Summary  Information

Juan Carlos Castillo Rincon ("Castillo") was a U.S. citizen and a resident of Texas who worked at an undisclosed company that was one of a group of family-owned companies that provided services for Petroleos de Venezuela S.A.

Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. ("PDVSA") was the Venezuelan state-owned and -controlled oil company. PSDVA operated through various subsidiaries and affiliates, including PDVSA Services, Inc., which was the company's U.S.-based affiliate located in Houston that was responsible for international purchasing on behalf of PDVSA.

According to the documents in the case, from about 2011 through 2013, Castillo engaged in a conspiracy to pay bribes to an official with PDVSA Services, Inc. in order to obtain and retain lucrative logistics contracts. In all, it appears that Castillo transferred at least $187,648.87 to the official.

On April 11, 2018, the DOJ filed a five-count sealed indictment in the Southern District of Texas against Castillo alleging (1) conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA, (2-4) direct and aiding and abetting violations of the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA, and (5) conspiracy to commit money laundering. In a press release on September 13, 2018, the DOJ announced that Castillo had pled guilty to a single count of conspiracy to violate the FCPA. However, the plea agreement remains under seal, so the terms of the agreement are not known.

On October 12, 2022, the court sentenced Castillo to two years in prison (the court gave full credit for time served) plus an additional two years of supervised release and ordered him to pay a mandatory assessment of $100. On the same date, the court entered a money judgment against Castillo for $1,061,000.

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