Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2008/11/18/E8-27160/in-the-matters-of-peter-goldsmith-michele-geslin-respondents-final-decision-and-order
Timestamp: 2016-07-30 22:38:44
Document Index: 794813332

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 730', '§ 764', '§ 764', '§ 766', '§ 766', '§ 766', 'arts 730', '§ 2401', '§ 766', '§ 24', 'arts 730', 'art 766', 'art 766', 'art 740', 'art 802']

Federal Register | In the Matters of: Peter Goldsmith, Michele Geslin, Respondents; Final Decision and Order
-68411 (6 pages)
Document Number: E8-27160
Shorter URL: https://federalregister.gov/a/E8-27160 Table of Contents Back to Top
Charge 1 15 CFR 764.2(b)—Aiding or Abetting the Export of a Vessel Without the Required License
B. Respondents' Exhibits
NOTICE TO THE PARTIES REGARDING REVIEW BY UNDER SECRETARY
15 CFR 766,22
In a charging letter filed on December 18, 2007, the Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) alleged that Respondent Michele Geslin committed one violation of the Export Administration Regulations (currently codified at 15 CFR Parts 730-774 (2008) (“Regulations”)), issued pursuant to the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (50 U.S.C. app. 2401-2420 (2000)) (the “Act”),
when she aided and abetted the unlicensed export of a vessel to Cuba during a regatta she had helped to organize. Specifically, the charge against Respondent Michele Geslin is as follows:
Charge 1 15 CFR 764.2(b)—Aiding or Abetting the Export of a Vessel Without the Required License Back to Top
Between on or about April 10, 2003 through on or about May 31, 2003, Geslin aided and/or abetted the doing of an act prohibited by the Regulations. Specifically, Geslin aided and/or abetted the export of the vessel Kailuana, an item classified on the Commerce Control List under Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 8A992.f, to Cuba without the required Department of Commerce authorization. Geslin aided and/or abetted the export of the vessel to Cuba by organizing a regatta to Cuba and by traveling on board the Kailuana and assisting with the vessel's export to Cuba during the regatta. Geslin, as organizer of the regatta, was advised by the BIS Office of Export Enforcement in a letter dated April 24, 2003, that a Department of Commerce export license was required for all participants in the regatta who were to take a vessel to Cuba. On May 22, 2003, the Office of Export Enforcement met with Geslin and other regatta participants at the regatta's pre-launch party and again informed Geslin that a license was required for the temporary export of vessels to Cuba during the regatta. On May 23, 2003, the Office of Export Enforcement provided Geslin, as co-organizer of the regatta, with an additional letter indicating that an export license was required by all regatta participants who took their vessels to Cuba and that a particular license that had been identified by some participants as authority to take their vessel to Cuba during the regatta did not in fact authorize the temporary export of a vessel. Pursuant to Section 746.2 of the Regulations, a license is required for the export of vessels to Cuba and no license was obtained for the export of the Kailuana to Cuba. In aiding and abetting this unlicensed export, Geslin committed one violation of Section 764.2(b) of the Regulations.
By separate letters, each dated “02/10/2008,” Geslin and Goldsmith responded to these charges indicating an intention to contest the charges. These responses were treated as answers to the Charging Letters, and on February 11, 2008, these cases were assigned to AU Brudzinski of the U.S. Coast Guard. On April 1, 2008, the cases against Geslin and Goldsmith were consolidated.
In accordance with the Scheduling Order of ALJ Brudzinski, BIS propounded discovery requests, including Requests for Admission, upon both Geslin and Goldsmith. Neither responded to any the discovery requests, including the Requests for Admission, thus admitting the matters of fact therein. 15 CFR 766.9(b).
On September 8, 2008, BIS filed a motion for summary decision against Respondents Geslin and Goldsmith as to the above charges. On October 15, 2008, based on the record before him, ALJ Brudzinski issued an RDO in which he determined that BIS was entitled to summary decision as to both of the charges at issue, finding that Geslin committed one violation of § 764.2(b) when she aided and abetted an unlicensed export to Cuba of the vessel Kailuana, an item subject to the Regulations and classified under ECCN 8A992.f, and that Goldsmith also committed one violation of § 764.2(b) when he aided and abetted an unlicensed export to Cuba of the vessel Eu-Bett, also an item subject to the Regulations and classified under ECCN 8A992.f. ALJ Brudzinski also recommended, following consideration of the record, that Geslin and Goldsmith each be assessed a monetary penalty of $11,000.00 and a denial of export privileges for three years. The ALJ further recommended that the denial of export privileges for each respondent be suspended for the entire three year period provided that each respondent pays the monetary penalty within 30 days of the Final Decision and Order and that each respondent commits no further violations during the period of suspension. In his RDO, ALJ Brudzinski indicated that, should either Geslin or Goldsmith fail to abide by any of the conditions of suspension, then the denial order will become active with regard to whichever respondent has failed to meet the terms of the suspension.
The RDO, together with the entire record in this case, has been referred to me for final action under § 766.22 of the Regulations. I find that the record supports the ALJ's findings of fact and conclusions of law, including the conclusion that the movement of a vessel from the United States to Cuba is considered an export, even if the vessel remains in Cuba only temporarily. RDO at 7.
I also find that the penalty recommended by ALJ Brudzinski based upon his review of the entire record is appropriate, given the nature of the violations, the facts of this case, and the importance of deterring future unauthorized exports, and especially given the multiple warnings that the respondents received from BIS agents.
First, that a civil penalty of $11,000.00 is assessed against Michele Geslin and that a civil penalty of $11,000 is also assessed against Peter Goldsmith, each of which shall be paid to the U.S. Department of Commerce within (30) thirty days from the date of entry of this Order. Second, pursuant to the Debt Collection Act of 1982, as amended (31 U.S.C. 3701-3720E (2000)), the civil penalty owed under this Order accrues interest as more fully described in the attached Notice, and, if payment is not made by the due date specified herein, Geslin and/or Goldsmith, will be assessed, in addition to the full amount of the civil penalty and interest, a penalty charge and administrative charge.
Third, for a period of three (3) years from the date that this Order is published in the Federal Register, Michele Geslin, 2627 Staples Avenue, Key West, FL 33040, and Peter Goldsmith, 2627 Staples Avenue, Key West, FL 33040, and their successors or assigns, and when acting for or on behalf of Geslin and/or Goldsmith, their representatives, agents, or employees (hereinafter collectively known as the “Denied Persons”) may not participate, directly or indirectly, in any way in any transaction involving any commodity, software or technology (hereinafter collectively referred to as “item”) exported or to be exported from the United States that is subject to the Regulations, or in any other activity subject to the Regulations, including, but not limited to:
Fifth, that, after notice and opportunity for comment as provided in § 766.23 of the Regulations, any person, firm, corporation, or business organization related to the Denied Persons by affiliation, ownership, control, or position of responsibility in the conduct of trade or related services may also be made subject to the provisions of the Order.
Seventh, that, as authorized by § 766.17(c) of the Regulations, the denial period set forth above with regard to each respondent shall be suspended in its entirety, and shall thereafter be waived, provided that: (1) Within thirty days of the effective date of this Order, the respondent pays the monetary penalty imposed against him or her of $11,000.00 in full, and (2) for a period three years from the effective date of this Order, the respondent commits no further violations of the Act or Regulations.
Eighth, that the final Decision and Order shall be served on both Geslin and Goldsmith and shall be published in the Federal Register. In addition, the ALJ's Recommended Decision and Order, except for the section related to the Recommended Order, shall also be published in the Federal Register.
Issued: October 15 2008.
On April 1, 2008, I consolidated the following BIS cases: (1) In the Matter of Peter Goldsmith, Docket: 07-BIS-0026; (2) In the Matter of Michele Geslin, Docket: 07-BIS-0027; and (3) In the Matter of Wayne LaFleur, Docket: 07-BIS-0028. This Recommended Decision and Order pertains only to Respondents Michele Geslin and Peter Goldsmith (hereinafter, collectively, “Respondents”). The Agency is not seeking summary decision with regard to Respondent LaFleur. Accordingly, the matter involving Respondent LaFleur has been excluded from the case caption.
On December 18, 2007, the Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce (“BIS” or “Agency”), issued separate Charging Letters initiating administrative enforcement proceedings against Michele Geslin and Peter Goldsmith. The Charging Letter addressed to Ms. Geslin alleged that she committed one violation of the Export Administration Regulations, currently codified at 15 CFR Parts 730-774 (2008) (the “Regulations”),
issued under the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. §§ 2401-2420 (2000)) (the “Act”).
The Charging Letter addressed to Goldsmith alleged that he also committed one violation of the Regulations.
In a letter dated February 10, 2008, Respondent Geslin responded to BIS's Charging Letter in which she stated “I do not feel that the charges are viable.” Moreover, in a similar letter dated February 10, 2008, Respondent Goldsmith responded to BIS's Charging Letter in which he stated “I would like to contest these charges.” Subsequently, in a letter dated March 20, 2008, the Respondents, collectively, demanded a hearing.
On February 25, 2008, this case was assigned to the undersigned Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) for adjudication pursuant to an Interagency Agreement with the Bureau of Industry and Security. As previously mentioned above, on April 1, 2008, the proceedings against Michele Geslin and Peter Goldsmith were consolidated. The matter involving Wayne LaFleur was also consolidated with these cases. However, BIS has stated that it will move for resolution of the case against LaFleur at a later time.
On September 8, 2008, BIS filed its Motion for Summary Decision together with 12 exhibits listed in Appendix A. BIS moved for summary decision on the charges against Geslin and Goldsmith based on the evidence contained in the exhibits and Respondents' admissions. That evidence demonstrates that there are no genuine issues of material fact and that under the facts presented, BIS is entitled to summary decision as a matter of law. Section 766.8 of the Regulations provides that the Administrative Law Judge may render a recommended summary decision and order disposing of some or all of the issues if the entire record shows as to the issues under consideration “[t]hat there is no genuine issue as to any material fact[,]” and “[t]hat the moving party is entitled to a summary decision as a matter of law.” 15 CFR 766.8 (2008). A dispute over a material fact is “genuine” if the evidence is such that a reasonable fact finder could render a ruling in favor of the non-moving party. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986). Substantive law dictates which facts are material, and only disputes that might affect the outcome of the litigation will properly preclude the entry of summary decision. Id. at 247.
Section 764.3 of the Regulations sets forth the sanctions BIS may seek for violations of the Regulations. The applicable sanctions are: (i) a monetary penalty, (ii) a denial of export privileges under the Regulations, and (iii) suspension from practice before the Bureau of Industry and Security. 15 CFR 764.3. Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706 (2000)) (“IEEPA”), as amended, the maximum monetary penalty in this case is $250,000 per violation. International Emergency Economic Powers Enhancement Act of 2007, Pub. L. No. 110-96, 121 Stat. 1011 (2007); see also In the Matter of: Kabba ; Amir Investments, Inc., d.b.a. International Freight Forwarders, 73 FR 25649, 25653 (May 7, 2008), aff'd 73 FR 25648. BIS requests that the ALJ recommend to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security
that Respondents each (1) be assessed a civil penalty in the amount of $11,000 and (2) be made subject to a denial of export privileges for a period of three years which shall be suspended if each respondent pays the monetary fine against him or her within thirty days from the date of the final Decision and Order and does not commit any further violations of the Regulations during the three year period of the suspension.
BIS seeks this sanction because the Respondents, while they were organizing the regatta during which the vessels in question were exported to Cuba, were, advised on numerous occasions by federal agents that taking a vessel to Cuba without the proper Department of Commerce authorization was a violation of U. S. law.
In addition, the items exported in this case involved vessels controlled for anti-terrorism reasons to a country that the United States Government has designated a state sponsor of international terrorism.
I find that the entire record before me shows that there are no genuine issues of material fact and that BIS is entitled to summary decision against Respondents Geslin and Goldsmith as a matter of law. Through their failure to answer BIS's Requests for Admissions, Respondents admitted that they aided and abetted the export of the vessels Kailuana and Eu-Bett to Cuba.6 Section 746.2 of the Regulations, requires a license to export these vessels from the United States to Cuba. Under the Regulations, the movement of the vessels from the United States to Cuba is considered an export, even if the vessels remained in Cuba only temporarily. 7, 8
The Respondents have admitted, and BIS has confirmed by searching its licensing database, that no such licenses were obtained. Ex. L, Ex. J (Requests 6 &; 15). Respondents have also both admitted to receiving multiple letters from BIS agents prior to the regatta in question informing them that the export of a vessel to Cuba required an export license. Ex, J (Requests 7-9, 16-18), Exs. A-D. In addition to admitting the facts described in the Charging Letters against them, the Respondents have also failed to raise any defenses to the charges in their answers to the respective Charging Letters, thus precluding them from any attempt to raise any new defense at this time.
Recommended Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law Back to Top
Findings of Fact Back to Top
Conclusions of Law Back to Top
Accordingly, I recommend that the Under Secretary enter an Order imposing, for each respondent, an $11,000 civil penalty and a denial of export privileges for three years. Further, I recommend the Order state that the denial of export privileges with regard to each Respondent be suspended for the three year period provided that each respondent pays the monetary penalty within 30 days of the final Decision and Order and that each respondent commits no further violations during the period of the suspension. Should either Geslin or Goldsmith fail to abide by any of the conditions of suspension, then the denial order will become active with regard to whichever respondent has failed to meet the terms of the suspension. This penalty is consistent with prior cases decided by this Court. In the Matter of: Kabba ; Amir Investments, Inc., d.b.a. International Freight Forwarders, 73 FR 25649, 25652 (May 7, 2008), aff'd at 73 FR 25648 (imposing a monetary penalty of $6,000 and a conditional denial of export privileges for three years against a freight forwarder that aided and abetted an attempted export of medical equipment to Cuba).
Done and dated this 15th day of October, 2008 at New York, New York.
List Of Exhibits Back to Top
Exhibit A Letter to Michele Geslin dated April 24, 2003, with copy of certified mail receipt signed by Michele Geslin. (3 pages)
Exhibit B Letter to race participants from BIS Special Agent dated April 22, 2003. (1 page)
Exhibit C Letter to All Third Annual Conch Republic Cup Race Participants dated May 23, 2003; letter to race participants, dated May 23, 2003. (2 pages)
Exhibit D Letter to Peter Goldsmith dated April 10, 2003, with copy of certified mail receipt initialed by Peter Goldsmith. (3 pages)
Exhibit E Charging Letter addressed to Michele Geslin dated December 18, 2007. (3 pages)
Exhibit F Charging Letter addressed to Peter Goldsmith dated December 18, 2007. (3 pages)
Exhibit G Michele Geslin's Answer to Charging Letter dated February 10, 2008. (1 page)
Exhibit H Peter Goldsmith's Answer to Charging Letter dated February 10, 2008. (1 page)
Exhibit I BIS Interrogatories and Requests for Production of Documents, with certificate of service dated May 14, 2008. (14 pages)
Exhibit J BIS Requests for Admission, with certificate of service dated May 14, 2008. (9 pages)
Exhibit K Certified Licensing Determination dated September 4, 2008. (2 pages)
Exhibit L Certified copy of letter indicating results of BIS's search of its electronic licensing database for records of export licenses or applications related to the transactions in question. (2 pages)
Respondents did not file any exhibits.
NOTICE TO THE PARTIES REGARDING REVIEW BY UNDER SECRETARY Back to Top
SUBTITLE B—REGULATIONS RELATING TO COMMERCE AND FOREIGN TRADE CHAPTER VII—BUREAU OF INDUSTRY AND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
15 CFR 766,22 Back to Top
(b) Submissions by parties. Parties shall have 12 days from the date of issuance of the recommended decision and order in which to submit simultaneous responses. Parties thereafter shall have eight days from receipt of any response(s) in which to submit replies. Any response or reply must be received within the time specified by the Under Secretary.
(d) Delivery. The final decision and implementing order shall be served on the parties and will be publicly available in accordance with § 766.20 of this part.
(e) Appeals. The charged party may appeal the Under Secretary's written order within 15 days to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia pursuant to 50 U.S.C. app. § 24l2(c)(3).
[FR Doc. E8-27160 Filed 11-17-08; 8:45 am]
1. From August 21, 1994 through November 12, 2000, the Act was in lapse. During that period, the President, through Executive Order 12924, which had been extended by successive Presidential Notices, the last of which was August 3, 2000 (3 CFR, 2000 Comp. 397 (2001)), continued the Regulations in effect under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706 (2000)) (“IEEPA”). On November 13, 2000, the Act was reauthorized and remained in effect through August 20, 2001. Since August 21, 2001, the Act has been in lapse and the President, through Executive Order 13222 of August 17, 2001 (3 CFR, 2001 Comp. 783 (2002)), which has been extended by successive Presidential Notices, the most recent being that of July 23, 2008 (73 FR 43603, July 25, 2008), has continued the Regulations in effect under IEEPA.
2. These cases were consolidated with a case against a third respondent. BIS has not moved for summary decision against this third respondent and, accordingly, that claim is not addressed in the RDO nor will it be addressed in this Final Decision and Order.
3. The sanction recommended by the ALJ also is consistent with the sanction proposed by BIS, which based its request on the facts, as admitted, and circumstances of the case as a whole.
2. The charged violations occurred in 2003. The Regulations governing the violations at issue are found in the 2003 version of the Code of Federal Regulations (15 CFR Parts 730-774 (2003)). The 2008 Regulations establish the procedures that apply to this matter.
3. Since August 21, 2001, the Act has been in lapse and the President, through Executive Order 13222 of August 17, 2001 (3 CFR, 2001 Comp. 783 (2002)), as extended by the Notice of July 23, 2008 (73 FR 43,603 (July 25, 2008)), has continued the Regulations in effect under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706 (2000)).
4. Pursuant to Section 13(c)(1) of the Export Administration Act and Section 766.17(b)(2) of the Regulations, in export control enforcement cases, the ALJ makes recommended findings of fact and conclusions of law that the Under Secretary must affirm, modify or vacate. The Under Secretary's action is the final decision for the U.S. Department of Commerce.
5. See 15 CFR Part 766, Supp. No. 1, § III.A. (discussing the factors that BIS considers in the context of settling an enforcement action and stating that “[i]n cases involving gross negligence, willful blindness to the requirements of the EAR, or knowing or willful violations, BIS is more likely to seek a denial of export privileges * * * and/or a greater monetary penalty than BIS would otherwise typically seek”).
6. See 15 CFR Part 766, Supp. No. 1, § III.A. (discussing the factors that BIS considers in the context of settling an enforcement action and stating that “BIS is more likely to seek a greater monetary penalty and/or denial or export privileges * * * in cases involving: (1) exports or reexports to countries subject to anti-terrorism controls * * *”). Cuba has been designated as a Terrorist Supporting Country and is subject to such anti-terrorism controls. See 15 CFR Part 740, Supp. No.1 Country Group E:1 (2003); 15 CFR 742.1, 746.2 (2003).
7. See 15 CFR 766.9 (noting that “matters of fact or law of which admission is requested shall be deemed admitted unless, within a period designated in the request * * * the party to whom the request is directed serves upon the requesting party a sworn statement either denying specifically the matters of which admission is requested or setting forth in detail the reasons why the party to whom the request is directed cannot truthfully either admit or deny such matters”).
8. See 15 CFR 734.2 (defining “export” to include “an actual shipment or transmission of items subject to the [Regulations] out of the United States. * * *”). As BIS noted in its Motion, temporary exports have been subject to export control laws for more than 60 years. See, e.g., 7 FR 5007 (July 2, 1942) (amending Part 802 of title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations to authorize the export of certain stores and spare parts that are carried abroad on vessels and planes for use or consumption by the crew); cf. 15 CFR 740.15(b)(2008).
9. 15 CFR 766.6(b). See In the Matter of BiB and Malte Mangelsen, 71 FR 37042, 37050 (June 29, 2006) (affirming that defenses not specifically set forth in the answer shall be deemed waived in accordance with 15 CFR 766.6(a)) (aff'd by Under Secretary at 37042).