MIAMI – Bolivia’s former interior minister pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday of conspiring to launder hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from South Florida businessmen in exchange for helping the company obtain a defense contract, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors alleged that Arturo Murillo, 58, helped a Tamarac-based company land a $5.6 million contract with the Bolivian government, then headed by former interim President Jeanine Áñez, to provide tear gas and other non-lethal military equipment.
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That company was owned by businessman Bryan Berkman, who pleaded guilty in the scheme along with three other co-conspirators: Luis Berkman, his father, plus Sergio Rodrigo Mendez Mendizabal and Philip Lichtenfeld.
While a federal criminal complaint doesn’t name the company, Florida business records show Bryan Berkman was the CEO of Bravo Tactical Solutions, LLC, which is now listed as dissolved as of September.
Luis Berkman is listed as the head of International Defense Group, an active company also based in Tamarac.
Prosecutors alleged that Berkman purchased the tear gas from a Brazilian company for $3.3 million before turning around and selling it to the Bolivian government. Part of the profits helped the co-conspirators fund the bribes to Murillo.
Murillo laundered the proceeds through the U.S. banking system, including accounts in Miami, federal prosecutors said.
In 2021, following his arrest, The Associated Press described Murillo as “one of the most outspoken voices in the Áñez government” and interviewed an expert who called him “the key force” behind its “repression.”
Áñez took power in November 2019 after President Evo Morales stepped down amid violent protests that disputed his reelection.
Murillo faces up to a decade in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Officials have yet to set a sentencing date, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Homeland Security Investigations’ Fort Lauderdale field office is investigating the case, according to the DOJ.
Federal criminal complaint: