A New York city federal court has handed down a 24-month prison sentence to Samuel Mebiame, a Gabonese-French dual citizen, for conspiring to bribe African government officials.
Mebiame, 55, was charged with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and found guilty on December 9, 2016. He was sentenced by United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis on [date not available].
The court documents revealed that Mebiame worked as a fixer for a joint venture company owned by Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC, a New York-based hedge fund, and its business partner in Africa, Europe, and the United States.
Between 2007 and 2015, Mebiame made bribe payments to senior government officials in Africa, including in Niger, Chad, and Guinea. He received improper benefits such as luxury cars, extravagant travel, and cash payments.
According to court documents, Mebiame paid more than $3 million in bribes to a high-ranking government official in Niger, both directly and through intermediary agents. He also made payments for luxury cars and directed a $100,000 donation to a charity run by a government official.
Mebiame’s actions were part of a larger conspiracy involving multiple countries in Africa. He was part of a scheme to influence the performance of official governmental duties and obtained licenses for uranium concessions for the joint venture from the government of Niger, Chad, and Guinea.
The U.S. government has been cracking down on corruption and bribery across the globe. Mebiame’s case is the latest example of the consequences of such actions.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Public CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic Corruption