DOD CONTRACTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT BRIBERY

On June 3, 2008, Raman International Inc. (“Raman”), a defense contractor, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. It agreed to pay the maximum criminal fine for a corporation charged with conspiracy to commit bribery of $500,000 and restitution fees amounting to $327,192 to the Department of Defense (“DOD”).
According to the plea agreement, Raman, headquartered in Cypress, TX, and Eric Chidiac, one of its former employees already indicted for two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, paid a military officer based at Camp Victory, Iraq to steer DOD contracts to Raman. Mr. Chidiac is currently a fugitive. Camp Victory is the main component of the Victory Base Plaza located near the Baghdad International Airport. Mr. Chidiac gave part of the payments made by DOD to Raman as kickbacks to the military officer.

This case is part of an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s National Criminal Enforcement Section along with Special Agents from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division. Agents from U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are providing additional assistance to the investigation.

Andre Barlow
(202) 589-1834
abarlow@dbmlawgroup.com