Here is our 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.

 

Global

Anti-bribery experts get specialist accreditation programme

TrustLaw, UK

Anti-bribery experts will be able to get a professional qualification with the launch of a first-of-its kind compliance training programme, anti-bribery group TRACE International said.

 

Africa

Nigeria can’t eradicate corruption, anti-graft head admits

Daily Independent, Nigeria

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman, Farida Waziri, has acknowledged that it would be difficult to completely wipe out graft in Nigeria. “There is no way you can eradicate corruption in this country,” she said in Abuja, but stressed that “we will do everything humanly possible to fight the scourge”. 

Corruption plagues Kenyan health sector

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Kenya

There is rampant corruption at various levels in the health sector, especially in the procurement of drugs and medical supplies, a new report has revealed. The ‘Kenya Health Sector Integrity Study Report' by Transparency International indicates that recruitment and promotion processes in the health sector are plagued by corruption, nepotism and tribalism and influenced by politicians and other interested parties.

Corrupt police in South Africa ‘main cause of mistrust’

Business Day, South Africa

A belief that many police officers were corrupt was the main reason for the public’s lack of trust in the service, a study by the Institute for Security Studies showed. Its researcher, Andrew Faull, said corruption-related accounts that emerged during focus groups included petty and serious extortion, as well as attempted bribery. "Some accounts involved more serious bribery, mostly in return for closing cases on behalf of the accused," he said.

 

South Asia & Asia-Pacific

Philippine's Aquino orders military corruption probe

TrustLaw, UK

President Benigno Aquino of the Philippines has ordered an investigation into allegations of corruption within the military. The probe comes after George Rambusa, a former army colonel, testified in a Senate hearing about how military officials, including several chiefs of staff, had been misusing state funds.

Shipyard owner accuses American Samoa government of corruption

TrustLaw, UK

A shipyard operator has accused the government of American Samoa, a territory of the United States, of corruption and says the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is looking into the allegations.

Kabul Bank employees flee to Pakistan amid investigation into lending, officials say

The Washington Post, USA

The acting chief financial officer and other Pakistani employees of Kabul Bank have fled Afghanistan amid an investigation into the scope of the bank's reckless lending and allegations that its shareholders paid large bribes to many senior Afghan officials, according to Afghan officials and others familiar with the issue.

Three former city officials charged with corruption in Taiwan 

Taipei Times, Taiwan

Three former Taipei city government officials were indicted on charges of corruption and forgery as prosecutors completed their investigation into the Xinsheng Overpass scandal. Prosecutors accused the three of abusing their power in handling the bidding process for the project in April 2008 to please their supervisors and increase their chances of getting a promotion.

Thailand remains a nest of corruption – survey 

Bangkok Post, Thailand

Politicians, lawmakers, police and soldiers are rated as the most corrupt groups in Thailand, which lags far behind its neighbours in dealing with rampant graft, a survey reveals. The assessment of corruption from 2003 to 2008 found Thailand had never reached even the half-way point on a scale measuring effectiveness in tackling corruption. The survey is part of a six-year study on corruption in Thailand by Saowani Thairungrote, an economist at the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce.

 

North America

Ex-mayor among seven charged by Canadian anti-corruption squad

The Globe and Mail, Canada

After 16 months of investigation, the anti-corruption squad of the Canadian province of Quebec has finally struck. The squad, which is conducting an investigation known as Operation Hammer, has arrested a former mayor and two construction firm executives, accusing them of fixing millions of dollars in contracts in return for bribes.

Former US mayor's corruption trial postponed until May

The Jersey Journal, US

The former mayor of the US city of Secaucus, Dennis Elwell, has had his federal corruption trial postponed until May due to scheduling conflicts. Elwell resigned from office within days of his July 23, 2009, arrest during a massive corruption sweep by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He is accused of pocketing a $10,000 bribe and conspiring with political associate and alleged middleman Ronald Manzo to take $10,000 more from Solomon Dwek, a cooperating witness who posed as a developer looking to build a hotel in the Meadowlands.

 

Europe

EXPERT VIEWS: UK Bribery Act guidance needed

TrustLaw, UK

Anti-corruption campaigners, business advocates and lawyers give their reaction to the news that the implementation of the UK Bribery Act has been delayed.

Former French president’s corruption trial set to begin next month

Irish Times, Ireland

Jacques Chirac’s corruption trial will go ahead in March after the former French president’s wife denied reports that he has Alzheimer’s disease. Bernadette Chirac insisted her husband was healthy enough to defend himself against allegations that he gave fictitious jobs to supporters during his term as mayor of Paris. She was reacting to a report in the Journal du Dimanche , which had quoted unnamed friends of Mr Chirac as saying he had memory lapses and that his wife feared he had Alzheimer’s.

 

Latin America and Caribbean

Aid to Colombia’s flood survivors marred by irregularities - paper

TrustLaw, Colombia

Humanitarian aid meant for floods victims in Colombia is being resold in public squares and distributed by local government officials to garner political support among affected communities.

Mexican auditors uncover more corruption at state oil giant

Fox News, USA

Mexico's SFP audit agency announced disciplinary measures against 12 employees of state-owned Petroleos Mexicanos for improperly awarding 38.9 million pesos ($3.1 million) in contracts to firms that were unqualified to perform the required tasks.

Former Peru deputy justice minister arrested for bribery

Living in Peru, Peru

A former deputy justice minister during President Alan García’s current term, Gerardo Castro, has been arrested for trying to bribe a civil servant in the Production Ministry. Castro was arrested when he allegedly offered to pay $10,000 dollars to Alejandro Rios, an advisor of Peru’s deputy fisheries ministry, in an attempt to extend fishing licences for three boats.

 

Middle East

Jordanians rally against corruption and poverty

Reuters, UK

Jordanian activists rallied outside government offices as they tried to step up their campaign to force Prime Minister Samir Rifai to step down. Inspired by unrest in Tunisia and elsewhere in the region, about 200 Jordanians gathered outside the prime minister's office shouting "Our government is a bunch of thieves" and holding banners reading "No to poverty or hunger".

Police: Sharon's sons mediated bribery transfers for ex-PM

Jerusalem Post, Israel

The sons of former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, Omri and Gilad, should be indicted for mediating bribe transfers sent from billionaire Austrian businessman Martin Schlaff to ex-premier Ariel Sharon, police announced, marking the end of a decade-long investigation. At the same time, police stressed, the evidence against the Sharon brothers was incomplete because Schlaff had evaded questioning throughout the investigation.

 

 

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.