Individuals in the air cargo industry based at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) have been charged with alleged bribery and money laundering crimes committed over several years to secure favourable contracts.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James said in a press release that an investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Port Authority) had uncovered three alleged bribery and money laundering schemes.
At this stage, the charges in the indictments are merely allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The accused had allegedly used fraudulent invoices and cash payments to bribe an airline employee in order to secure contracts for cargo companies they owned.
In the first indictment, the charged co-conspirators allegedly agreed to pay an airline employee cash every quarter and paid for trips, as well as meals and other expenses incurred on the trips, in exchange for receiving continued contracts.
The second indictment alleged a separate bribery scheme where an airline employee at the airport agreed to ensure its business in exchange for a percentage of earnings achieved through the contract.
The third alleged scheme involved another company with an airline employee receiving two or three dollars each time a product was sold to the airline. The money was allegedly paid through an intermediary company that would keep half of the money, the press release claimed.
“We’re grateful for our strong partnership with the Attorney General’s Office that helped us uncover these alleged schemes inside JFK’s cargo operations,” said Port Authority inspector general John Gay.
“Blatant bribes, fake invoices, and vacation kickbacks have no place in an environment that depends on honesty and accountability. Our office will continue to pursue anyone who attempts to compromise the safety and integrity of the region’s critical transportation infrastructure.”