Ecuador’s Former Comptroller General Appears in Court for Money Laundering Scheme

Initial Appearance in Miami Court

The former Comptroller General of Ecuador, Carlos Ramon Polit Faggioni, made his initial appearance in a Miami court today, accused of using the US financial system to launder millions of dollars in bribes and conceal an illegal bribery scheme in Ecuador.

Alleged Bribery Scheme

According to court documents, between 2010 and 2016, Polit allegedly received over $10 million in bribe payments from Odebrecht S.A., a Brazilian construction conglomerate, in exchange for using his official position to influence government actions in Ecuador. The indictment also claims that Polit received an additional bribe from an Ecuadorian businessman in 2015.

Money Laundering Scheme

Prosecutors allege that Polit and his associates used shell companies registered in Florida to launder the proceeds of the bribery scheme, hiding the money through real estate purchases, business investments, and other transactions. Odebrecht S.A. pleaded guilty last year to paying nearly $800 million in bribes to public officials in 12 countries, including Ecuador.

Charges and Potential Sentence

Polit faces up to 20 years in prison on each count of money laundering and conspiracy if convicted.

Investigation and Prosecution

The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Fraud Section and the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

International Cooperation

The Justice Department has thanked law enforcement authorities in Ecuador, Brazil, Panama, and Curacao for their assistance with the investigation, which is part of a broader effort to combat corruption and money laundering schemes around the world.