Jeffrey Tesler

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

Jeffrey Tesler, a solicitor, was convicted in the US of conspiring to violate and violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for his role in a decade-long scheme to bribe Nigerian officials to secure over $6 billion of EPC contracts on Bonny Island. He pleaded guilty under a plea agreement, forfeited nearly $149m, and was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment plus a fine. The SDT found all three allegations proved beyond reasonable doubt, finding the acts of bribery revealed a gross lack of integrity. Though no express finding of dishonesty was made, the Tribunal held strike off was the only fair and proportionate sanction. Costs of £14,622.20 were assessed but reduced to £7,000 due to means.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Convicted of conspiracy to violate and violation of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
• Decade-long scheme to bribe Nigerian government officials on a vast scale
• Paid very large sums with intent to corrupt public officials
• Corrupt conduct which the Respondent knew was corrupt
• Significant reputational damage to the profession

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary matters
• Ill health and stress from proceedings and incarceration
• Age and personal circumstances
• Sentence already served (released after 13 months)
• Full mitigation set out in US Sentencing Memorandum