On December 17, 2020, Deck Won Kang pleaded guilty via Zoom in the US District Court of New Jersey to one count of violating the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Kang admitted to paying a total of $100,000 in bribes to a Korean government official in exchange for lucrative government contracts.
As detailed in the criminal information, Kang controlled two closely held New Jersey-based companies that provided naval equipment and technology services to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), a government agency within the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of National Defense. Kang promised to provide “something of value” to a high-ranking Korean Navy official who worked for DAPA when the official left public office. In return, around May 2010, the official provided Kang with non-public information that Kang used to obtain and retain DAPA contracts. The government official retired from DAPA around November 2011. Between 2012 and 2013, Kang wired a total of $100,000 to a bank account in Australia set up for the benefit of the Korean official.
Kang’s sentencing hearing is set for April 21, 2021.
Department of Justice Press Release| Information | Minute Entry