Investigations

On July 29, 2019, Master Halbert, of the Federated States of Micronesia, was convicted and sentenced in U.S. District Court, Honolulu, Hawaii. Halbert was sentenced to 18 months in prison, 3 years of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a $7,500 fine. He previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.

 

As an official for the Micronesia Department of Transportation, Halbert administered the aviation programs and managed the airports. DOT-OIG’s investigation found that, between 2006 and 2016, a Hawaii-based engineering and consulting company paid bribes to Halbert and other Micronesian officials in exchange for Government contracts valued at nearly $8 million—a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

 

DOT-OIG conducted this investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).