Hans Bodmer, a key witness against Frederic Bourke, faces sentencing today in federal court in Manhattan for conspiracy to launder money. Photo by edenpicturesHans Bodmer, the Swiss lawyer who once represented Viktor Kozeny and provided key testimony against Frederic Bourke, may learn his sentence today. He’s scheduled to appear in U.S. federal district court in Manhattan before Judge Shira A. Scheindlin, who oversaw Bourke’s trial last summer.
Bodmer was indicted by a New York federal grand jury in August 2003 on single counts of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and to launder money. A copy of the indictment can be downloaded here. The court dismissed the FCPA charge, ruling that before being amended in 1998, the FCPA didn’t apply to non-U.S.-resident foreign nationals who served as agents of domestic concerns. Bodmer then pleaded guilty in October 2004 to conspiracy to launder money.
He was released on bail of $1.5 million, including $1.45 million in cash first held at the Royal Bank of Scotland in London and later transferred with Judge Scheindlin’s consent to Thurgauer Kantonalbank in Switzerland.
Bodmer faces ten years in prison on the money-laundering conspiracy charge. Because of his guilty plea and cooperation with the DOJ in the prosecution of Frederick Bourke, his sentence will be much lighter.
Bloomberg’s David Glovin gave this account of Bodmer’s June 2009 appearance for the prosecution at Bourke’s trial:
Bodmer, who is testifying for prosecutors in exchange for leniency and admits knowing of the bribery scheme, testified yesterday that he told Bourke about the payments. . . .
[S]peaking methodically through a thick German accent, [he] told jurors he was surprised when Bourke asked him about the “arrangement” [to pay Azeri officials bribes] because it was a “sensitive matter.” After getting permission from Kozeny, Bodmer said he outlined the scheme. Justice Department lawyer Robertson Park asked Bodmer how Bourke responded.
“No specific response,” Bodmer testified.
Bourke was convicted in July 2009 of conspiracy to violate the FCPA and lying to FBI agents. Judge Scheindlin sentenced him to a year and a day in prison. He’s free on bail while he appeals his conviction.
Bodmer’s one-time client, Czech-born Victor Kozeny, is the best-known FCPA fugitive. Last month he won a decision in a Bahamas appellate court that continues to block his extradition to the U.S. He’s lived in the Bahamas for about ten years. A federal grand jury in Manhattan indicted Kozeny in May 2005 for a plot to bribe Azeri leaders to gain control of the state oil company. His co-defendant Bourke was accused of investing in the scheme despite knowing Kozeny planned to use bribes.
[Editor’s note: Bodmer’s sentencing was postponed today until August 23, 2010.]
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