Former BizJet Sales Manager Pleads Guilty in Latin America Bribery Case

A former regional sales manager for BizJet International Sales and Support Inc. has pleaded guilty for his role in a scheme to bribe government officials in Latin America to secure aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul business. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the plea on October 30, 2026, identifying the defendant as Jald Jensen, 73, of Panama City, previously of Van Nuys, California. The conduct described in court documents occurred between 2004 and 2010, when Jensen worked to win business from new customers and maintain or grow existing accounts for BizJet, a U.S.-based subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik AG.

The affected customer base included public-sector aviation operations in Mexico and Panama. According to the Justice Department, BizJet provided services for the air fleet of the Mexican President, the Mexico Federal Police, the Governor of the Mexican State of Sinaloa, and the Panama Aviation Authority. Jensen allegedly bribed foreign officials who had authority or influence over contract awards and conspired with others to direct business to BizJet. The alleged payment scheme also involved concealing and funneling money through U.S. bank accounts and Jensen’s shell company, Avionica International & Associates Inc. The source provides no individual contract values or contract numbers for the maintenance work.

The case is relevant to contractors competing for overseas government aviation work because it illustrates how sales activity, third-party arrangements, and payments can create exposure when officials influence awards. For GovCon teams, the practical procurement implications include strengthening controls around sales intermediaries, validating the purpose and recipients of payments, documenting legitimate business services, and escalating red flags tied to government decision-makers. Compliance reviews should cover both new bids and existing customer relationships, particularly where representatives or subcontractors interact with foreign officials or help secure public-sector work.

The plea also closes a long-running enforcement matter. Jensen was returned to the United States to face charges stemming from a 2012 indictment, and the Justice Department described his arrest, extradition, and guilty plea as the final conviction in the case. In 2012, BizJet entered a deferred prosecution agreement and paid an $11.8 million criminal penalty. Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said the defendant and co-conspirators “put profits above ethics and fair competition,” while U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar emphasized accountability and thanked law enforcement partners for their coordinated work. The announcement signals continued FCPA enforcement, not a solicitation, award, or newly announced government requirement.

• Jald Jensen, a former BizJet regional sales manager, pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe foreign officials to secure business.
• The alleged scheme ran from 2004 to 2010, while Jensen worked to obtain new customers and expand existing business.
• The relevant services were aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) for government-related customers in Latin America.
• Customers identified in the DOJ account included the air fleet of the Mexican President, Mexico Federal Police, the Governor of Sinaloa, and Panama Aviation Authority.
• Court documents describe bribes to officials with authority or influence over contract awards, followed by efforts to conceal and funnel payments through U.S. bank accounts and a shell company.
• BizJet International Sales and Support Inc. was described as a U.S.-based subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik AG.
• In 2012, BizJet entered a deferred prosecution agreement and paid a $11.8 million criminal penalty.
• The case traces to a 2012 indictment; Jensen’s arrest, extradition, and plea were described by DOJ as the final conviction in the long-running matter.
• International aviation contractors should review intermediary oversight, payment controls, third-party diligence, and records supporting foreign public-sector sales.
• The announcement identifies no new contract opportunity, solicitation, contract number, or individual MRO contract value.