Former Vitol Trader Sentenced to Four Years in $500 Million International Bribery Scheme
A former Vitol oil trader has been sentenced to 48 months in U.S. federal prison for his role in two interrelated schemes to bribe government officials in Ecuador and Mexico, in a case that also resulted in a money laundering conviction and more than $7.1 million in criminal forfeiture.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York said Javier Aguilar, 52, was sentenced on September 18, 2026 by U.S. District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano in Brooklyn. In addition to the prison term, Aguilar was ordered to forfeit approximately $7.13 million and pay a $100,000 fine. Restitution will be determined later, and he is expected to be deported to Mexico after completing his sentence.
Aguilar was convicted at trial in February 2024 of conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, violating the FCPA and money laundering in connection with a scheme involving Ecuadorian officials. He later pleaded guilty to charges arising from a related scheme involving officials at PEMEX Procurement International, a wholly owned affiliate of Mexico’s state-owned oil company PEMEX.
According to the Justice Department, Aguilar conspired to pay more than $1 million in bribes to officials in Ecuador and Mexico in connection with more than $500 million in oil and gas contracts. The prosecution formed part of a broader U.S. effort targeting corruption in international commodities trading.
The case was handled by the Eastern District of New York’s Business and Securities Fraud Section together with the Justice Department Criminal Division’s White Collar and Corporate Enforcement and Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture sections. The FBI’s Miami Field Office participated in the investigation, while the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and other units provided assistance.
The sentencing marks the latest stage of a prosecution that combined foreign bribery offenses with money laundering charges and asset forfeiture. The Justice Department said Aguilar forfeited funds identified as laundered proceeds; the final restitution amount remains outstanding.
Sources / References
U.S. Department of Justice — Eastern District of New York, September 18, 2026
