Susumo Azano Applauds New Probe into Sempra Energy's Bribery Allegations

SAN DIEGO, CA, April 01, 2014

Security is a large concern nowadays, and every country is constantly on high alert to ensure the safety of its citizens. Meanwhile, people like Susumo Azano, (correct link and state the source clearly ABC10news) leader of Homeland Security in Latin America, are maintaining an especially high level of vigilance. To Susumo, safety and security are of utmost importance, but he knows that he cannot uphold these values alone, which is why he commends anyone who is taking the initiative to inspect any suspicious dealings.

Back in 2011, Brewer was employed by the Jones Day law firm. This agency was one of two firms that were hired by Sempra Energy amid various allegations regarding the company bribing Mexican officials. The bribery involved dealings with a liquefied natural gas plant located just north of Ensenada. According to a fired Sempra executive in a 2010 interview, Sempra had its own hidden agenda and had its connections to carry out this agenda.

The commenting executive, Rudy Michelon, made his comment at the same time that the FBI was launching an informal probe. These types of probes will often evolve into processes that evoke formal inquiries, which in turn could include subpoena power. However, the probe was done several months later with no charges filed on any account.

A recent article published by ABC News Affiliate, in San Diego10News reveals how a federal probe has recently been released into Sempra Energy, a San Diego-based natural gas utilities holding company, to investigate foreign business operations. Susumo Azano indicates that Robert Brewer, a candidate for the future position of San Diego County district attorney, has been involved with the initial part of the process, but not for the government.

Gary Aguirre, an attorney and former Securities and Exchange Commission attorney, commented that the probe lacked the thoroughness to be effective. Susumo Azano agrees with him that it was very superficial and shallow, and needed to be more in-depth to uncover any helpful leads.

Aguirre pursued the case and filed a Freedom of Information Act request, leading to him win a two-year court battle to attain more than 3,000 FBI case files held by the probe. He commented that the files demonstrated the government did not do any independent investigation and instead chose a more common practice, which allowed big companies to proactively look at accusations. In short, Sempra Energy convinced the government to let it investigate its own operations without outside influence.

The files uncovered by Aguirre also showed how Sempra's attorneys, Brewer included, persuaded federal investigators that the allegations held no water and were only brought to light by a disgruntled ex-employee. Recently, Aguirre has taken on the duty of representing Michelon in a whistleblower case and has commented on how an informal SEC probe has been launched.

Susumo Azano states, "I want to thank federal investigators for finally pursuing Sempra Energy, and also would like to thank the federal judge and Garry Aguirre, ESQ. They should all be commended and congratulated, given everything we've learned about Sempra Energy and its Mexican Operations over the last six years."

Susumo Azano is satisfied with the federal system and hopes to see justice served once all of the evidence has been gathered for this case involving Sempra Energy.