A federal jury in Miami convicted Carl Alan Zaglin (70), owner/CEO of Atlanco LLC (Georgia), for orchestrating a nearly five-year scheme to bribe Honduran officials to win >$10 million in police-uniform contracts and to launder the bribe proceeds through U.S. and offshore accounts.
Counts: Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) conspiracy, substantive FCPA, and money-laundering conspiracy. Max penalties: 5 years (each FCPA count) and 20 years (laundering). Co-conspirators Aldo Nestor Marchena, former TASA officials Francisco Roberto Cosenza Centeno and Juan Ramon Molina previously pleaded guilty (Source: justice.gov).
Key Points
- Scheme (2015–2019): Bribes (via “commissions/fees”) funneled through Marchena to Honduran officials at TASA, securing >$10m in contracts for uniforms/accessories; payments masked with sham invoices/“Brokerage Agreements.”
- Money Flows: From Atlanco → Marchena front company (U.S.) → accounts for officials in the U.S., Belize, elsewhere; coded comms and encrypted apps used.
- Charges & Exposure: FCPA conspiracy + FCPA (max 5 + 5 years) and laundering conspiracy (max 20 years); sentencing to follow under U.S. Guidelines.
- Enforcement Footprint: Case investigated by HSI Miami with assistance from Belize, Colombia, Spain; DOJ Fraud Section notes ongoing FCPA/FEPA focus.
Why it matters (Compliance Angle)
- Confirms DOJ’s continued pursuit of third-party intermediary bribery and tradecraft (coded language, encrypted channels, sham contracts).
- Highlights cross-border cooperation and money-laundering tethers as leverage points for prosecution, not just bribery counts.
What to Watch
- Sentencing timeline and whether forfeiture/restitution is sought.
- Potential debarment/procurement consequences and any collateral export/compliance reviews tied to law-enforcement supply chains.
Call for Information
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