The government’s cooperating witness in the failed Africa sting prosecution was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison followed by 36 months probation, according to a courthouse source.
The Department of Justice had asked that Richard Bistrong be spared jail based on his ‘extraordinary’ cooperation.
He pleaded guilty in 2010 to one count of conspiracy to violate FCPA’s antibribery and books and records provisions, and to export military products without proper authorization. He faced up to five years in prison.
Judge Richard Leon of the federal district court in Washington, D.C. imposed the sentence.
Two separate Africa sting trials of ten different defendants ended in a series of mistrials and acquittals but no convictions. The government finally moved to dismiss the entire case. Twenty-two defendants were originally charged with FCPA and related offenses. Three pleaded guilty but the DOJ also eventually dropped the indictments against them.
Bistrong had helped the government gather evidence in a sting operation aimed at the military and law enforcement equipment industry. Some of the individuals targeted included his close friends.
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