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. John Christopher Polit · Odebrecht and Braskem's Involvement in Multiple Countries from 2001 to 2016

Case Information

United States of America v. John Christopher Polit

Related FCPA Matter:   Odebrecht and Braskem's Involvement in Multiple Countries from 2001 to 2016 Information

Case Information

Initiation Date:    09/05/2024  Information

Prosecuting Agency:    U.S. Department of Justice

Type of Action:    DOJ Criminal Proceeding

Docket or Case Number:    24-cr-20390

Court:    S.D. Florida

Name of Prosecuting Attorneys:   

  • Markenzy Lapointe, United States Attorney
  • Glenn S. Leon, Chief, Fraud Section, Criminal Division
  • Michael N. Berger, Assistant United States Attorney
  • Jil Simon, Trial Attorney, Fraud Section, Criminal Division
  • Alexander Kramer, Assistant Chief, Fraud Section, Criminal Division

US Assisting Agencies:   

  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation

Foreign Enforcement Action/Investigation:    Unknown

Foreign Assistance:   

  • Ecuadoran Law Enforcement Agency (EC)

Origin of the Proceeding:    Unknown

Whistleblower:    Unknown

Case Status:    Ongoing


Summary  Information

John Christopher Polit (John Polit), a U.S. citizen, was a son of Carlos Ramon Polit Faggioni (Carlos Polit), the comptroller general of Ecuador from 2007 to 2017.

According to the documents in this case, between 2010 to 2015, Carlos Polit solicited and received bribe payments from Odebrecht S.A., a Brazilian construction conglomerate, in exchange for removing and not imposing fines on Odebrecht's business in Ecuador. Additionally, he received a bribe from an Ecuadorian businessman in 2015 in exchange for assisting the businessman with certain contracts from the state-owned insurance company of Ecuador. From 2010 and 2018, John Polit helped his father launder these bribes. Specifically, he layered transactions through the accounts of various intermediary companies and used the laundered funds to purchase and renovate real estate in South Florida and elsewhere and to purchase several businesses.

On September 5, 2024, the DOJ filed a six count indictment in the Southern District of Florida against John Polit alleging a conspiracy to commit money laundering as well as direct money laundering violations. On November 12, 2024, John Polit entered into a plea agreement with the DOJ. On December 9, 2024, the DOJ moved for a preliminary order of forfeiture in the amount of $16,510,000, which the court granted the next day. John Polit is scheduled to be sentenced on August 4, 2025.

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.