# U.S. DOJ Prosecutors Secure Guilty Plea in Venezuelan Contract Fraud

Alex Nain Saab Moran, a former Venezuelan government official, pleaded guilty in Miami federal court to a money laundering conspiracy involving bribery and fraudulent public contracts for food and medicine under Venezuela's CLAP program. The case exposed the use of shell companies and the U.S. financial system to launder illicit proceeds tied to corrupt procurement practices. This prosecution underscores the U.S. government's commitment to disrupting international corruption schemes that exploit public contracting and financial networks.

- The case was led by the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division, FBI, DEA, and U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, highlighting interagency collaboration in combating procurement-related financial crimes.
- Procurement professionals should be aware of increased scrutiny on foreign-linked contracts and the risks of indirect involvement in corrupt schemes through complex corporate structures.
- This development signals enhanced enforcement focus on transparency and integrity in public contracting, especially involving international supply chains for critical goods like food and medicine.
- Contractors and compliance officers should evaluate their due diligence and anti-corruption controls to mitigate exposure to similar illicit financial networks.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Public Safety
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 15, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida (USAO - Florida, Southern)
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

### Key Quotes
> Criminals like Alex Saab who stole from the people of Venezuela and worked to exploit and misuse American financial institutions to fund illicit activities will be held accountable by this FBI.
> — Kash Patel, FBI Director

> He created a complex web of front companies, shell accounts, and false records to perpetuate his scheme, win lucrative public contracts, and line his own pockets as well as his conspirators.
> — A. Tysen Duva, Assistant Attorney General

> Today’s plea agreement signifies a substantial disruption to the illicit financial networks supporting narcoterrorism and political corruption.
> — Terry Cole, DEA Administrator

### Sources
- [ Office of Public Affairs |  Maduro Regime Ally Alex Saab Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Scheme Involving Bribery and Public Contracts for Food and Medicine | United States Department of Justice](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/maduro-regime-ally-alex-saab-pleads-guilty-money-laundering-scheme-involving-bribery-and) - DOJ