Jald Jensen, 73, of Panama City. Previously of Van Nuys, California, a former sales manager of BizJet International Sales and Support Inc. (BizJet), pleaded guilty yesterday for his role in connection with a scheme to pay bribes to government officials in Latin America to secure business for BizJet. . “This defendant and his co-conspirators put profits above ethics and fair competition,” said Assistant Attorney General A.
Key details of the case
Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. Jensen’s arrest, extradition, and guilty plea marks the final conviction in this long-running case. We will continue to enforce the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by aggressively pursuing those who use bribery and corruption to gain an unfair advantage in international business.”.
Moreover, “Yesterday’s conviction underscores our commitment to accountability,” said U.S. Nassar for the Northern District of Oklahoma. “The defendant was returned to the United States to face charges stemming from a 2012 indictment.
Meanwhile, alleged his role in a scheme to pay bribes to government officials in Latin America while serving as a sales manager for BizJet. We thank our law enforcement partners whose coordinated efforts made this extradition possible.”. “Yesterday, Jensen finally faces justice for his yearslong scheme to bribe foreign government officials to win business for BizJet,” said Assistant Director in Charge Darren Cox of the FBI Washington Field Office.
Enforcement actions and official statements
In addition, “His plea reflects the FBI's long memory and global reach. We remain steadfast in our commitment to holding corporations and individuals accountable for international corruption.”. According to court documents, between 2004 and 2010, Jensen was a regional sales manager for BizJet, the U.S.-based subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik AG.
As a result, provides aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul services. During that time, BizJet provided services to customers in Latin America, Mexico. Panama, including services to the air fleet for the Mexican President, the Mexico Federal Police, the Governor of the Mexican State of Sinaloa, and the Panama Aviation Authority. For complete details, refer to the official DOJ press release.
Consequently, jensen’s responsibilities as a BizJet regional sales manager included obtaining business from new customers and maintaining and increasing business with existing customers. In his role as a sales manager, Jensen bribed foreign officials with authority and influence over contract awards and conspired with others to unlawfully direct business to BizJet. Jensen then conspired with others to conceal and funnel money to the foreign officials from various bank accounts throughout the United States, including through Jensen’s shell company, Avionica International & Associates Inc. .
Notably, in 2012, BizJet entered a deferred prosecution agreement and paid a criminal penalty of $11.8 million. Between 2012 and 2013, three of Jensen’s co-conspirators pleaded guilty to their roles in their schemes: Bernd Kowalewski, former President and Chief Executive Officer, Peter Dubois, former Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Neal Uhl, former Vice President of Finance. For related coverage, see Operation Not Forgotten 2026 results in 118 arrests and 41 federal charges.
Specifically, jensen was extradited from Panama to the United States in September 2026. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The Court will schedule sentencing for a date in 2027, and Jensen and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Subsequently, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI’s Washington Field Office, International Corruption Unit, is investigating the case. For related coverage, see Rajesh Patel charged in $66.2 million COVID-19 testing fraud scheme.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs secured Jensen’s arrest and extradition from Panama. . Attorney David Whipple for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Assistant Chief William Schurmann and Trial Attorney Joel Crespo of the Criminal Division’s White Collar and Corporate Enforcement Section are prosecuting the case.
In particular, the Criminal Division’s White Collar and Corporate Enforcement Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting FCPA and Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA) matters. Information about the Justice Department’s FCPA and FEPA enforcement efforts can be found here.