St. Maarten Private Eye

I practice law in the United States and I visit Sint Maarten every year for vacation. I have read the many reports on Westin / Columbia Sussex and the frustration of the Sint Maarten people about unfair practices and allegations that the resort owners and operators bribed their way into Sint Maarten with suspicious deals renting a villa from a government official and making all kind of promises about future jobs at the resort and more.

U.S. firms seeking to do business in foreign markets fall under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The FCPA prohibits corrupt payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business. That means paying, offering, promising to pay (or authorizing to pay or offer) money or anything of value is prohibited and subject to high fines and imprisonment.

You can read more at: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa/dojdocb.htm

I suggest that the writers to this board get information, compile a report and lodge a complaint with:

United States Department of Justice
Fraud Section, Criminal Division
10th & Constitution Avenue, NW (Bond 4th Fl.)
Washington, D.C. 20530
phone: (202) 514-7023
fax: (202) 514-7021

internet: USDOJ - Foriegn Corrupt Practices Act
email: FCPA.fraud@usdoj.gov