Gov't Dismisses Case Against North Korea Sanctions Violator After 3-Year DPA

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed a case against a United Arab Emirates cigarette filter and tear tape manufacturer following a more than $660,000 settlement agreement with the government for violating U.S. sanctions against North Korea . Essentra FZE Company Limited exported cigarette filter rods to North Korea and did not voluntarily disclose the violations, which the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control said constituted an egregious case (U.S. v. Essentra FZE Company, Dist. D.C. # 20-112).

The dismissal followed the expiration of a three-year deferred prosecution agreement in which the company accepted responsibility and agreed to the fine. DOJ said Essentra "fully complied" with the agreement, cooperated with OFAC's investigation and implemented an "adequate compliance program." The government agreed that if Essentra fully complied with its agree-to obligations, the prosecution would be dropped if the company moved to dismiss the case with prejudice within 30 days of the expiration of the DPA (see 2007160053).