Private Military Company Formerly Known As Blackwater Pays Fine To Settle Arms Charges

The private military company formerly known as Blackwater has agreed to pay a $7.5 million fine to settle charges related to arms smuggling, among other crimes, the Justice Department said Tuesday.

Blackwater, now known as Academi, were facing 17 federal criminal charges including the possession of automatic weapons in the United States without registration, unauthorized sale of satellite phones in Sudan, lying to the federal government about weapons provided to the king of Jordan, and more.

While the company formerly known as Blackwater did not plead guilty to any of the 17 charges, Politico reports that Academi “admitted to the key facts” behind the charges.

“Today’s proceedings conclude a lengthy and complex investigation into a company which has provided valuable services to the United States Government, but which, at times, and in many ways, failed to comply with important laws and regulations concerning how we as a country interact with our international allies and adversaries,” US Attorney Thomas Walker said in a statement.

“Compliance with these laws is critical to the proper conduct of our defense efforts and to international diplomatic relations. This prosecution is an important step to ensuring that our corporate citizens comply with these rules in every circumstance.”