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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. Lionel Hanst · Vitol's Involvement in Brazil, Ecaudor, and Mexico between 2005 and 2020

Case Information

United States of America v. Lionel Hanst

Related FCPA Matter:   Vitol's Involvement in Brazil, Ecaudor, and Mexico between 2005 and 2020 Information

Case Information

Initiation Date:    03/16/2022  Information

Prosecuting Agency:    U.S. Department of Justice

Type of Action:    DOJ Criminal Proceeding

Docket or Case Number:    22-cr-0075

Court:    E.D. New York

Name of Prosecuting Attorneys:   

  • Breon Peace, United States Attorney
  • Joseph Beemsterboer, Acting Chief, Fraud Section, Criminal Division
  • Deborah L. Connor, Chief, Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, Criminal Division
  • Jonathan P. Lax, Assistant United States Attorney
  • Clayton P. Solomon, Trial Attorney, Fraud Section, Criminal Division
  • Derek J. Ettinger, Trial Attorney, Fraud Section, Criminal Division

US Assisting Agencies:   Unknown

Foreign Enforcement Action/Investigation:   Unknown

Foreign Assisting Agencies:   Unknown

Origin of the Proceeding:    Unknown

Whistleblower:    Unknown

Case Status:    Ongoing


Summary  Information

Vitol Inc., based in Houston, Texas, was beneficially owned by a Dutch company named Vitol Holding BV but directly owned and controlled by the Swiss company Vitol S.A. between 2004 and 2009. The Vitol companies, together with their affiliates formed one of the largest oil distributors and energy commodities traders in the world.

Lionel Hanst was a citizen of the Netherlands and resident of Curacao. Hanst owned and controlled two shell companies, Lion-Oil B.V. and Zanza Oil B.V.

According to the documents in this case, between November 2014 and September 2020, Hanst engaged in an international money laundering scheme in which he and others facilitated, concealed and disguised payments made by and on behalf of Vitol as part of a bribery scheme involving officials in Ecuador, Mexico, and Venezuela. The bribes were paid on behalf of Vitol in order to obtain and retain business with the state-owned oil companies of Ecuador, Mexico, and Vanazuela.

On March 16, 2022, the DOJ filed a single count information in the Eastern District of New York against Hanst alleging a conspiracy to commit money laundering.

This case is ongoing.

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