Former Bolivian Minister Admits Guilt in $5.6 Million Finance Fraud Involving US Company

A high-ranking former Bolivian government official, Arturo Carlos Murillo Prijic, confessed to his role in a bribery scheme that secured a U.S. firm a $5.6 million contract with the Bolivian Ministry of Defense.

Murillo’s Role in the Bribery Scheme

Murillo, a 58-year-old former Bolivian Minister, pleaded guilty in a U.S. court on charges of money laundering conspiracy. According to court records, Murillo received more than $532,000 in bribe money from a Florida-based company to facilitate the business deal.

Illicit Funds and Money Laundering

The illicit funds were washed through the U.S. financial system, with bank accounts in Miami being the primary point of exchange. Approximately $130,000 in cash bribes were handed to Murillo during this period.

Conspirators’ Pleas and Sentencings

Four conspirators, Sergio Rodrigo Mendez Mendizabal, Luis Berkman, Bryan Berkman, and Philip Lichtenfeld, have already pleaded guilty to their involvement.

• Mendez and Luis Berkman confessed to money laundering charges. They were sentenced to 42 months and 38 months in prison, respectively, on June 9, 2022.
• Bryan Berkman and Lichtenfeld admitted to conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Bryan Berkman was sentenced to 28 months, while Lichtenfeld received a 26-month sentence.

Murillo’s Penalty and Sentencing

Murillo faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy. A sentencing date for Murillo has not yet been set, leaving the final decision in the hands of a federal district court judge.

Justice Department’s Announcement and Ongoing Investigation

The Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Southern District of Florida, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami announced the development in a press release. The Fraud Section’s Assistant Chief Gerald M. Moody Jr., Trial Attorney Jill Simon, Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli S. Rubin for the Southern District of Florida, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabrielle Charest-Turken are handling the prosecution for the case. The Fraud Section is responsible for pursuing cases involving the FCPA.

Detailed information about the Justice Department’s Foreign Corrupt Practices Act initiatives can be accessed at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.