Selection of recent anti-corruption stories from TrustLaw and other media
LONDON (TrustLaw) - Here is our selection of recent anti-corruption stories from TrustLaw and other media.
Africa
Fourth Kenyan minister facing graft case
TrustLaw, Kenya
Kenya’s Anti-Corruption Commission has said it is investigating a fourth member of the cabinet for misuse of government funds, on top of three ministers it began looking into in 2010.
Behind Tunisia unrest, rage over wealth of ruling family
NY Times, US
Tunisians, outraged by alleged corruption within Tunisia’s ruling elite, have ransacked the small Tunisian hamlet of Hammamet, a favourite summer getaway of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali and his extended family.
South Asia & Asia Pacific
Indian govt plans corruption clean-up after scams – report
TrustLaw, India
India's graft-tainted government is planning a series of measures to tackle corruption including more transparent public procurement, fast-tracking of cases against civil servants and a policy on election funding.
Nepal vows to punish the corrupt in U.N. defence deal
TrustLaw, India
Nepal plans to crack down on officials linked to allegations of corruption in the procurement of military hardware, after the United Nations discovered Nepali peacekeepers in Sudan had sub-standard equipment.
Indonesia graft accused offers to help fight corruption
TrustLaw, UK
A junior tax officer on trial for corruption charges has offered to serve as a special adviser in Indonesia’s battle against corruption in lieu of going to prison.
New technologies help China fight corruption, improve governance
Xinhua, China
A new computer software programme is pushing government officials in east China's Jiangsu province to work hard and behave professionally. In the Nanjing Urban Planning Bureau, if an official does not finish a case within 20 days, a yellow light illuminates in the office. If an official violates protocol when dealing with a case, a red light illuminates. The public can monitor the process on the bureau's official website.
North America
Golden Globe awards tarnished by allegations of corruption
The Independent, UK
The organisers of the Golden Globes are being sued by their outgoing publicist, who says the event is being used to solicit bribes, bungs and financial kickbacks.
Three accused Bell officials want cash-strapped city to pay their legal bills
LA Times, US
Three present and former council members of a suburb of Los Angeles, charged with public corruption, are asking a judge to order the city to pay some of their legal bills.
Man tried to bribe cops to let him go - police
Toronto Sun, Canada
Police have charged a man from London, Ontario with bribery after he allegedly offered money to a police officer to let him go free having failed to provide a breath sample following a minor traffic incident.
Europe
OECD commends Iceland's anti-bribery measures, says it could do more
TrustLaw, UK
In a new report, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has urged Iceland to ensure that the authorities tasked with prosecuting foreign bribery are coordinated and appropriately resourced.
Diluting graft law would savage Britain’s reputation, ex-minister says
TrustLaw, UK
The justice spokesman in Britain’s opposition Labour party says he strongly opposes any attempt to water down Britain’s anti-bribery law. He says doing so would be “disastrous” for Britain’s reputation abroad and raise questions about its commitment to fighting corruption.
Government to review UK Bribery Act
TrustLaw, UK
The British government has said it will review the new UK Bribery Act as part of a drive to reduce onerous regulations on business.
SFO urges companies to report corrupt rivals
Daily Telegraph, UK
Britain’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the enforcement agency tasked with prosecuting bribery, has said that companies should report competitors whom they suspect are engaging in corrupt practices.
Beware of corruption, Labour MP warns BP after deal with Russian company
Daily Mail, UK
A Labour MP has warned the oil company BP to be ‘extremely wary’ of becoming embroiled in corruption as a result of its deal with an energy firm that is backed by the Russian state.
Medvedev expands corruption fight
The Moscow Times, Russia
Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered a thorough check of government officials' income declarations and demanded tough penalties against those who provide false information.
Latin America and Caribbean
Bribery investigation of former govt officials comes to an end
Colombia Reports, Colombia
Colombia's Prosecutor General's Office has completed the investigation against former government officials for the alleged bribery of congressmen to secure the 2006 re-election of former President Alvaro Uribe. Prosecutors will now decide whether to charge the former officials or to close the case.
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