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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. Helmie Ashiblie · FBI Sting Involving an Executive Employed by a Defense Contractor in Woodbridge, Virginia

Case Information

United States of America v. Helmie Ashiblie

Related FCPA Matter:   FBI Sting Involving an Executive Employed by a Defense Contractor in Woodbridge, Virginia Information

Case Information

Initiation Date:    12/11/2009  Information

Prosecuting Agency:    U.S. Department of Justice

Type of Action:    DOJ Criminal Proceeding

Docket or Case Number:    09-cr-00347

Court:    District of Columbia

Name of Prosecuting Attorneys:   

  • Steven A. Tyrell, Chief, Fraud Section, Criminal Division
  • Hank Bond Walther, Assistant Chief, Fraud Section, Criminal Division
  • Channing D. Phillips, Acting U.S. Attorney
  • Matthew C. Solomon, Assistant United States Attorney
  • Laura N. Perkins, Trial Attorney, Fraud Section, Criminal Division

US Assisting Agencies:   

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation

Foreign Enforcement Action/Investigation:    Unknown

Foreign Assistance:    Unknown

Origin of the Proceeding:    Unknown

Whistleblower:    Unknown

Case Status:    Resolved


Summary  Information

Helmie Ashiblie was Vice President and Founder of i-Shot, a company that was based in Woodbridge, Virginia, and that was in the business of supplying tactical bags and other security-related articles for law enforcement agencies and governments worldwide.

According to the allegations in the indictment, Ashiblie and 21 other executives allegedly agreed to pay a 20% commission fee (10% would go to an undercover Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation posing as a representative of the Minister of Defense of Gabon, and the other 10% would go to the Minister of Defense of Gabon) in order to win a $15 million deal to provide weapons and supplies for the Presidential Guard of Gabon.

The DOJ alleged that on September 1, 2009, Ashiblie paid a commission into an undercover agent’s bank account in the United States in connection with a “test sale” of goods to the Ministry of Defense of Gabon, knowing that half of the commission was intended to be paid outside the United States as a bribe to the Minister of Defense of Gabon, for the purposes of obtaining the test sale contract and winning a second, larger contract to supply tactical bags for the Presidential Guard of Gabon.

On December 11, 2009, the DOJ filed an indictment against Ashiblie, charging him with conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions, direct violations of the anti-bribery provisions, and conspiracy to commit money laudering.

On February 21, 2012, the court dismissed the entire case with prejudice on motion of the government.

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