Those indicted by a Washington D.C. grand jury were identified as
executives and employees of military and defense companies. They included
executives and sales agents for Israeli products as well as five British
nationals.
One Israeli defendant was identified as Ofer Paz, the president of Paz
Logistics. The
company has served as an agent for Israeli military and security products in
the United States.
Another target was Israel Wissler, a former head of Ayit, a supplier to
the Israeli military. The other Israelis were identified as Haim Geri and
Yochanan Cohen, agents for military and security companies. The Israelis as
well as the other suspects were arrested in Las Vegas during an annual
security trade show and scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 3.
The indictment said the defendants agreed to pay a 20 percent commission
on the bogus $16 million order. The African defense minister turned out to
be an FBI agent.
"In fact, the scheme was part of the undercover operation, with no
actual involvement from any minister of defense," the Justice Department
said. "The defendants were told that half of that 'commission' would be paid
directly to the minister of defense."
The indictment said the defendants agreed to draft two price quotes in
connection with the arms deals. One quote represented the true cost of the
products, and the other accounted for the bribe.
"The defendants also allegedly agreed to engage in a small 'test' deal
to show the minister of defense that he would personally receive the 10
percent bribe," the Justice Department said.
