Telecom execs convicted of bribing foreign officials

{mosads}Their Miami-based company had a series of contracts with Haiti Teleco to allow their customers to make telephone calls to Haiti. According to prosecutors, the bribes were intended to gain a business advantage for their company.

Esquenazi and Rodriguez created fake records of “consulting services” to conceal the bribes, according to the evidence presented at their trial.

The jury deliberated for five hours following a two-and-a-half-week trial.

“This verdict is another powerful example that bribery of government officials — whether at home or abroad — has serious consequences,” said Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer. 

“In finding the defendants guilty on all charged counts, the jury sent an unmistakable message that paying off foreign officials does not, in fact, pay off.”

Sentencing is scheduled for October 13.