Former Fuel Purchaser Arrested for Defrauding Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.

February 26, 2010 - Jeffrey H. Sloman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Miami Field Office, announced the arrest of defendant Jamil Murni, 60, of Houston, Texas, on an indictment charging him with nine counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, and one count of money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1957. Defendant Murni will appear in federal court in Texas before facing charges in Miami.

According to the indictment, defendant Murni was a Commodity Manager for Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. In that position, defendant Murni was responsible for negotiating fuel prices and deliveries for Royal Caribbean. From late 2003 through late 2006, however, defendant Murni devised a scheme to defraud his employer of over $600,000.

According to court documents, in 2003, defendant Murni registered “Sea Fuels Trading” as a fictitious name with the Florida Department of State’s Division of Corporations. He then opened and maintained a bank account in the name of Sea Fuels Trading. On December 19, 2003, defendant Murni applied to have Sea Fuels Trading become a fuel provider for Royal Caribbean. In that application, defendant Murni fraudulently concealed his ownership of the company. Royal Caribbean subsequently approved Sea Fuels Trading as a fuel vendor and paid defendant Murni’s company money at a rate greater than would have been paid to a legitimate fuel vendor.

An Indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of the FBI. The matter is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney H. Ron Davidson.