Former manager risks 40 years in prison after allegedly handing out bribes in hotels, airports and a parking lot

Aguilar, 50, was previously convicted in February in Brooklyn, New York, of organizing an elaborate plot to bribe Mexican and Ecuadorian officials. But on Wednesday he pleaded guilty to a second charge, consolidating the two cases, federal prosecutors said in a statement. The move allows U.S. District Judge Eric Vitaliano to impose sentence in both cases.

In both cases – the second was initially brought in Texas – Aguilar was accused of conspiracy, foreign bribery and money laundering. In Brooklyn, prosecutors alleged he made cash payments at hotels, airports and even a parking lot to make deals worth $500 million.

“With his guilty plea today, the defendant admits his role in widespread corruption in the international commodities market and admits that he disregarded laws and rules that apply to all in order to unfairly line the pockets of a few,” Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement.

The five-count Texas state indictment accuses Aguilar, a former executive and oil trader, of participating in the bribery of Mexican officials who worked for PEMEX Procurement International.

Ilene Jaroslaw, a lawyer for Aguilar, said the confession settled all pending charges against her client.

“Mr. Aguilar has accepted responsibility for his role at Vitol and we are confident that Judge Vitaliano will impose a fair sentence,” Jaroslaw said in a statement.

Vitol, the world's largest independent oil trader, agreed to a $160 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2020 over allegations of paying bribes in three countries. Aguilar was charged in 2020 with orchestrating a five-year bribery and money laundering scheme while working at Vitol's Houston subsidiary.

The Texas case is U.S. v. Aguilar, 23-cr-00335, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas (Houston).