Nuclear materials transporter slapped with $2m fine

Transport Logistics International (TLI), a Maryland-based company that provides transportation services for nuclear materials, has agreed to pay a $2 million criminal penalty to settle allegations of bribing a Russian official.    The U.S. Justice Department said Transport Logistics International (TLI), a Maryland-based company that provides transportation services for nuclear materials in the United States and overseas, has agreed to pay a $2 million criminal penalty to settle allegations of bribing a Russian official.
   TLI specifically violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) from 2004 to 2014 when it paid more than $1.7 million to offshore bank accounts at the direction of Vadim Mikerin, a Russian official at JSC Techsnabexport (TENEX), a subsidiary of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corp.
   “The bribe payments were made to help TLI secure improper business advantages and obtain and retain business with TENEX,” the Justice Department said.
   To conceal the bribes, TLI executives and others used fake invoices describing services that didn’t occur. The company then wired the money to shell company bank accounts in Latvia, Cyprus and Switzerland.
   The Justice Department noted that TLI remains committed to cooperating with its ongoing investigation, and has since implemented compliant and ethics programs to detect and prevent FCPA and other anti-corruption laws throughout its operations. The company also terminated the employment of those individuals engaged in the original misconduct.
   Two executives involved in the bribery scheme have already pleaded guilty to violating the FCPA and committing wire fraud, including Daren Condrey, former TLI co-president, on June 17, 2015, and Mikerin on Aug. 31, 2015. Mikerin was also sentenced to 48 months in jail on Dec. 15, 2015.
   On Jan. 12, 2018, Mark Lambert, former TLI co-president who is currently owner of the Dragon Distillery in Frederick, Md., was charged by the Justice Department with one count of conspiracy to violate the FCPA and to commit wire fraud, seven counts of violating the FCPA, two counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. Through his attorney, Lambert has denied the allegations.