As the recent trial of PetroTiger’s former CEO Joseph Sigelman demonstrated, a problematic cooperating witness can derail the government’s case against a defendant charged with FCPA violations. In that case, shortly after the government’s star witness admitted to perjury on the stand, Sigelman and the government agreed to a plea that reportedly made Sigelman’s lawyers “ecstatic.” How can prosecutors and defense attorneys help avoid such catastrophes during trial? In a guest article, Richard Bistrong, a former sales executive who was accused of bribing foreign officials to obtain contracts for his employer, a defense contractor, shares lessons he learned from serving as a cooperating witness. Bistrong cooperated with the government for two-and-half years, recording thousands of phone calls and meetings. He prepared for trial for over three months, and testified for nearly a month. He subsequently served 14 months in prison. See also “What Does the PetroTiger Case Mean for FCPA Compliance? Sigelman’s Attorneys and Other Experts Weigh In” (Jun. 24, 2015).