Retained on behalf of an oil and gas company under investigation for alleged FCPA violations.
Nardello & Co. was retained on behalf of an oil and gas company under investigation for alleged FCPA violations. Working with counsel, we developed an investigative strategy to uncover information about the cooperating witnesses, specifically facts that could be used to assess their veracity and impartiality. Our investigators conducted extensive public record research in Ecuador, Peru, Panama, the US, and Canada, as well as in the Bahamas and other Caribbean jurisdictions, as part of a comprehensive investigation into the individuals and their extensive offshore corporate affiliations. Our research identified several connections between one cooperator and Ecuadorian public officials. We also found that others had been under investigation for wrongdoing, including bribery and money laundering. As a result of this multi-faceted approach, we were able to determine that although there were weaknesses in the company’s internal controls, there was no evidence to substantiate the whistleblower allegations. Our inquiries also indicated that the allegations had been made by a disgruntled former local partner of the client.
