High Court Backs Trial in Pemex Case

The U.S. Supreme Court refused Monday to dismiss federal charges against a La Jolla resident and former International Harvester executive accused of conspiring to bribe officials of Pemex, Mexico’s national petroleum company.

Without comment, the court let stand a previous ruling that permits prosecution of George S. McLean, former vice president of the Solar division of Chicago-based International Harvester. However, the court didn’t rule on the merits of the charges against McLean.

McLean is accused of bribery in connection with the sale of turbine compressor equipment to Pemex. The equipment is used to capture natural gas produced in drilling for crude oil.