Investigations
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May 30, 2019
Micronesian Government Official and Co-conspirator Suspended From Participation in Federal Transactions
On May 30, 2019, FAA administratively suspended Master Halbert, an official of the Federated States of Micronesia DOT, from participation in Federal transactions. The suspension was based on an earlier criminal information and his guilty plea to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Halbert administered the aviation programs and managed the airports for the Micronesia DOT. According to the criminal information, between 2006 and 2016, he accepted bribes in exchange for helping to secure $7.8 million in contracts for contractor Frank Lyon and Lyon’s company, the recipient of funds from the Airport Improvement Project. The two men agreed that the bribes would be transported from the United States to Micronesia. Lyon’s bribery payments to Halbert and other officials totaled approximately $440,000.
FAA suspended Lyon from participation in Federal transactions on March 21, based on an earlier criminal information and his guilty plea to conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Note: A suspension or debarment frequently covers a specific period of time. Please consult the System for Award Management to determine whether a company or individual is currently suspended or debarred.