As discussed in a previous blog post, the DOJ has been prosecuting multiple individuals in the Haiti Teleco corruption scheme. On May 21, 2012 Jean Rene Duperval was sentenced to nine years in prison for his role in the scheme to launder bribes paid to him by two Miami-based telecommunications companies. Duperval was also ordered to forfeit $497,331.
Duperval was convicted in March of two counts of conspiracy to commit money laundering and 19 counts of money laundering. He was the former director of international relations for Haiti Teleco, the sole provider of land line telephone services in Haiti. Two Miami-based telecommunications companies had multiple contacts with Haiti Teleco that allowed the Miami-based companies’ customers to place telephone calls to Haiti. These companies paid approximately $500,000 to shell companies that funneled the bribes to Duperval, using false invoices for services that were never provided. Duperval then gave the companies various business advantages, including the issuance of preferred telecommunication rates, a continued telecommunications connection with Haiti, and the continuation of a favorable contract with Haiti Teleco.
The DOJ noted that Duperval’s sentence “sends a strong message to foreign officials who would facilitate foreign corruption that they will face serious consequences.” He is the seventh defendant in the Haiti Teleco corruption scheme to be sentenced.
