Javier Aguilar, a former trader for Vitol Oil Group, was convicted by a New York jury on charges of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and money laundering. The conviction came after a nearly two-month trial, where it was revealed that Aguilar had engaged in an elaborate scheme to bribe officials in Ecuador and Mexico, securing $500 million in business deals. The case marks a significant moment in the commodity trading industry, highlighting the legal consequences of corruption and bribery within the sector. Aguilar now faces up to 30 years in prison.