MIAMI – Despite U.S. sanctions, prosecutors say Venezuela’s state-owned oil company accessed millions in aircraft parts from the U.S. such as bearings, joint slide flexes, and actuators for its aircraft fleet.
George Semerene, the head of logistics, procurement and warehousing of Petróleos de Venezuela S.A., or PDVSA, recently admitted he was part of the conspiracy, according to U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe.
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Federal agents arrested Semerene, 60 on April 19 upon his arrival at Miami International Airport. He procured millions in aircraft parts from the U.S. for the benefit of Nicolás Maduro’s regime, according to U.S. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen.
According to Matthew S. Axelrod, the assistant secretary for Export Enforcement, Semerene and his co-conspirators did it “by lying to U.S. suppliers, falsifying customs forms and creating fake invoices.”
According to prosecutors, the group used freight forwarders and shipping companies in South Florida to move the parts, and used false certificates identifying Novax Group SA, a company based in Costa Rica, and Aerofalcon SL, a company based in Spain, to serve as the purported purchasers and end users.
The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security identified the companies allegedly involved and is still investigating the violations.
Federal court records show a U.S. forfeiture in the case included over $52,600 from a TD Bank account, opened at 3885 NW 107 Ave., in Doral, under Selfie Bay, a Florida company based in Hialeah Gardens.
The 33-page indictment in the case included four others associated with PDVSA: Gilberto Araujo, a PDVSA air transport manager and colonel in the Venezuelan military; Guillermo Marval and Fernando Jose Blequett Landaeta, both PDVSA air transport managers and logistics analysts responsible for procurement.
Records show the evidence included e-mails. Prosecutors cited an e-mail written by Araujo ordering that the payments be done through third parties with bank accounts in Russia, China, or Malaysia.
The indictment also included four associated with Novax: Luis Duque, the owner of Novax; Melvin Aleman Espinoza, the director of operations; Mikhail Largin, the director of special projects; and Pedro Sucre, a Novax employee in Venezuela.
In one of the transactions in question, prosecutors reported that a Novax employee purchased 18 Dassault Falcon 2000 jet from a company in Fort Lauderdale and used a U.S. freight forwarder in Miami.
The indictment also included two associated with Aerofalcon: Juan Gonzalez, the owner of Aerofalcon; and Juan Guerra, a director for Aerofalcon.
Prosecutors also cited a contract for over $4 million between Aeroflacong and PDVSA that Guerra had e-mailed to himself involving Honeywell Turbofan Engines. Investigators believe it was for one of several transactions.
Semerene pleaded guilty on Tuesday to conspiring to violate the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, or IEEPA. Semerene’s sentencing is Nov. 5. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.