Venezuelans in U.S. Linked to $1 Billion in PDVSA Bribes
- Roberto Rincon allegedly used hotels, liquor to win business
- Rincon said to be `close'to drug trafficking ex-general
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The U.S. accused two men of taking part in a $1 billion bribery scheme to secure contracts with Venezuela’s state oil company and linked one of the duo to a former head of Venezuelan military intelligence wanted for alleged cocaine trafficking.
Roberto Rincon-Fernandez, a Venezuelan national, was ordered held without bail on charges of conspiring to launder money and violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in connection with Petroleos de Venezuela SA, according to an order signed Dec. 19 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy K. Johnson citing an indictment.