We are currently restructuring our databases, so be advised that the FCPAC database is updated only through July 30, 2025.

Processing your request


please wait...

 | Enforcement Action Dataset

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

Enforcement Action Dataset

 
United States of America v. Antonio Perez · Multiple Companies' Involvement in Haiti from 2001 to 2006

Case Information

United States of America v. Antonio Perez

Related FCPA Matter:   Multiple Companies' Involvement in Haiti from 2001 to 2006 Information

Case Information

Initiation Date:    04/22/2009  Information

Prosecuting Agency:    U.S. Department of Justice

Type of Action:    DOJ Criminal Proceeding

Docket or Case Number:    09-cr-20347

Court:    S.D. Florida

Name of Prosecuting Attorneys:   

  • R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney
  • Aurora Fagan, Assistant United States Attorney
  • Steven A. Tyrrell, Acting Chief, Fraud Section, Criminal Division
  • Mark F. Mendelsohn, Deputy Chief, Fraud Section, Criminal Division
  • Nicola J. Mrazek, Trial Attorney, Fraud Section, Criminal Division
  • Richard Weber, Chief, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, Criminal Division
  • Laurel Loomis Rimon, Deputy Chief, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, Criminal Division
  • Kevin Gerrity, Trial Attorney, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, Criminal Division

US Assisting Agencies:   

  • Internal Revenue Service
  • Department of Justice - Criminal Division's Office of International Affairs

Foreign Enforcement Action/Investigation:    Unknown

Foreign Assistance:    Unknown

Origin of the Proceeding:    Unknown

Whistleblower:    Unknown

Case Status:    Resolved


Summary  Information

Antonio Perez was the Controller for a privately owned telecommunications company that was incorporated in Florida and headquartered in Miami, Florida.

From November 2001 through August 2003, Perez, acting in concert with the company's President and Director Joel Esquinazi and its Executive Vice President Carlos Rodriguez, paid bribes of over $674,193 to Robert Antoine, the Director of International Relations of Telecommunications D'Haiti ("Haiti Teleco"), in order to reduce the company's debt to Haiti Teleco and prevent Antoine from terminating the company's telecommunication connection.

On April 22, 2009, the DOJ filed a single count Information in the Southern District of Florida against Perez alleging conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA and conspiracy to commit money laundering. On the same date, Perez entered into a Plea Agreement with the DOJ. Under the terms of the agreement, Perez pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge and agreed to forfeit $36,375 plus pay a mandatory assessment of $100. The $36,375 that Perez was ordered to forfeit corresponded with the side payments in the larger bribery scheme that were directly attributable to him. On January 25, 2011, the court sentenced Perez to 24 months in prison to be followed by 2 years of supervised release. However, after a motion by the DOJ pursuant to rule 35 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure based on Perez's substantial assistance to law enforcement, on December 28, 2011, the court reduced Perez imprisonment to 10 months.

Protected Content


Please Log In or Sign Up for a free account to access restricted features of the Clearinghouse website, including the Advanced Search form and the full case pages.

When you sign up, you will have the option to save your search queries performed on the Advanced Search form.