Lawrence W. Parker, Jr. was a U.S. citizen who resided in Miami, Florida. During the relevant time period, he was an owner, controlling member of, or participant in the operation of five unnamed phone companies headquartered and incoporated in Florida.
Egbert Yvan Ferdinand Koolman, a Dutch citizen residing in Miami, was a Product Manager with Servicio di Telecomunicacion di Aruba N.V. ("Setar"), a state-owned telecommuincations provider in Aruba.
From about November 2005 through March 2015, Parker engaged in a conspiracy with Koolman and others to make payments to Koolman to obtain contracts with Setar and to defraud Setar of money. The Information filed in this case alleges that at least $85,600 were paid in bribes through this scheme, though it is unclear whether that is the extent of the bribes paid.
On December 20, 2017, the DOJ filed a single count Information in the Southern District of Florida against Parker alleging conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On December 29, 2017, Parker pled guilty to the charges. On April 30, 2018, the court sentenced Parker to 35 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release and further ordered him to pay restitution of $701,750 plus a mandatory assessment of $100. The prison time respresents an approximately 33% downward departure below the minimum sentencing guidelines range. The DOJ noted Parker's cooperation in the matter and substantial assistance in the prosecution of other members of the conspiracy.
In a related proceeding, the DOJ filed a single count Information in the Southern District of Florida against Koolman alleging conspiracy to commit money laundering on April 10, 2018. Koolman pled guilty to the charges on April 13, 2018. On June 29, 2018, the court sentenced Koolman to 3 years in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. The court further ordered Koolman to pay $1,308,500 in restitution plus a mandatory assessment of $500. The court also ordered Koolman to surrender to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings following his term in prison.
