Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com.
Help support the publication of case reports on MoreLaw
Date: 12-01-2018
Case Style:
United States of America v. Gabriel Arturo Jimenez Aray
Case Number: 9:18-cr-80054-RLR
Judge: Robin L. Rosenberg
Court: United States District Court for the South Florida (Maimi-Dade County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Michael Brian Nadler, Vanessa Sisti Snyder and Nalina Sombuntham
Defendant's Attorney: Marissel Descalzo
Description:
Maimi, FL - Former Owner of Dominican Republic Bank Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Money Laundering Conspiracy
A former owner of Banco Peravia bank in the Dominican Republic was sentenced to three years imprisonment today for his role in a billion-dollar money laundering scheme involving currency exchange.
U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan of the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Mark Selby of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Mark B. Dawson of HSI's Houston Field Office, Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI’s Miami Field Office and Inspector General Jay N. Lerner of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (FDIC) Washington, D.C. Office made the announcement.
Gabriel Arturo Jimenez Aray (Jimenez), 50, a Venezuelan citizen residing in Chicago, Illinois and former owner of Banco Peravia bank, was sentenced today to three years in prison by U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg of the Southern District of Florida. Jimenez pleaded guilty under seal on March 20, 2018 to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. As part of his guilty plea, Jimenez admitted that, as part of the scheme, he conspired with co-conspirator Raul Gorrin Belisario, 50, and others to acquire Banco Peravia, through which he helped launder bribe money and scheme proceeds. Jimenez and his co-conspirators made the decision to use Banco Peravia to pay bribes to Venezuelan government officials in exchange for contracts to conduct currency exchange schemes and to launder the money obtained from running those currency exchange schemes. Jimenez facilitated illegal transactions and bribe payments to foreign officials and others via bank issued credit cards, cash disbursements, wire transfers and other financial transactions, he admitted.
HSI Miami, HSI Houston, HSI Boston, FBI Miami and the FDIC investigated this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael B. Nadler and Nalina Sombuntham of the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Vanessa Sisti Snyder, Paul A. Hayden and John-Alex Romano of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in this matter. The Policía Nacional (Spanish National Police) also provided significant assistance.
The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all FCPA matters. Additional information about the department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
18:1956(h) Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.
(1)
Outcome: 11/29/2018 45 NOTICE of Filing in Aid of Sentencing by Gabriel Arturo Jimenez Aray (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E) (Descalzo, Marissel) (Entered: 11/29/2018)
11/29/2018 46 PAPERLESS ORDER Denying 39 Sealed Motion as to Gabriel Arturo Jimenez Aray (1). The Response to Objections shall be unsealed. Signed by Judge Robin L. Rosenberg on 11/29/2018. (mg) (Entered: 11/29/2018)
11/29/2018 47 PAPERLESS ORDER Granting 42 Sealed Motion to seal the sentencing memorandum as to Gabriel Arturo Jimenez Aray (1). Signed by Judge Robin L. Rosenberg on 11/29/2018. (mg) (Entered: 11/29/2018)
11/29/2018 48 PAPERLESS Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Robin L. Rosenberg: Sentencing held on 11/29/2018 as to Gabriel Arturo Jimenez Aray. Defendant sentenced to 36 months incarceration followed by 3 years of supervised release and $100 special assessment. Defendant shall self surrender by 6/28/2019. Total time in court: 1 hour(s) : 30 minutes. Spanish Interpreter present. Attorney Appearance(s): Nalina Sombuntham, Michael Brian Nadler, Vanessa Sisti Snyder, Marissel Descalzo, Court Reporter: Pauline Stipes, 561-803-3434 / Pauline_Stipes@flsd.uscourts.gov. (mg) (Entered: 11/30/2018)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: