Our selection of this week's anti-corruption stories from TrustLaw and other media
LONDON (TrustLaw) - Here is our selection of this week’s anti-corruption stories from TrustLaw and other media:
Africa
Malawian chief magistrate convicted of corruption
The Daily Times, Malawi
Malawi’s Blantyre Magistrates Court convicted its former boss, Chief Resident Magistrate David Kadwa, on three counts of corruption committed in 2005.
Kenyan lawmakers narrowly pass anti-corruption team
Nairobi Star, Kenya
Kenya’s parliament voted to endorse three nominees for the country’s new Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission in an acrimonious debate which stretched into the night.
South Asia & Asia-Pacific
'Everyone on the take': Aussie aid worker jailed for Afghan bribes
The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
“It always seemed that everyone wanted their cut,” Australian aid contractor Neil Campbell told a U.S. court after receiving a 22-month jail sentence for bribery. “And I don't think that's going to change ... Everyone was on the take, everyone was being paid off in Afghanistan. That's just a part of the Afghan culture,” Campbell said.
Head of India ruling party vows to fight for anti-corruption bill
BBC, UK
India's ruling Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi has vowed to ensure MPs pass a new anti-corruption bill. The Lokpal bill envisages setting up an independent ombudsman with the power to prosecute politicians and civil servants.
Taiwan's leader denies interfering in opponent's graft probe
The Straits Times (AFP), Singapore
Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou rejected allegations that he was behind a corruption probe that implicated his main political rival in a bid to manipulate next year's presidential polls.
Europe
European Commission proposal would help firms hit by bribery ban
The Daily Telegraph, UK
British companies convicted of bribery could become eligible to secure public contracts across Europe under wide-ranging reforms to European Union procurement rules proposed by the Commission.
Leading barrister to take over at UK fraud office
Financial Times, UK (subscription required)
David Green, a leading barrister and former head of the Revenue and Customs prosecution office, is to take charge of the UK’s Serious Fraud Office next year as it extends its powers into new areas and grapples with stiff budget cuts.
European Parliament in EU transparency move
BBC, UK
The European Parliament has backed proposals to open up more EU documents to public scrutiny. The parliament voted to expand the definition of "document" to include any digital data – not only text but also audio and video recordings.
Phone hacking: serving female Scotland Yard officer held on corruption claims
The Daily Telegraph, UK
A serving female Scotland Yard officer was arrested by British detectives investigating police corruption and payments from journalists.
Middle East
London mogul accused of bribing Israeli mayor
The Jerusalem Post, Israel
A London-based businessman was indicted with handing the mayor of the Israeli city of Ramat Gan almost a million shekels in bribes to advance a lucrative real-estate project.
Dubai likely to seek more answers in bribery case
The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
The Australian property developer Sunland expects Dubai's courts will ask it to explain discrepancies between statements its executive David Brown gave the emirate's prosecutors in a bribery case and sworn evidence he has given to an Australian court.
Jordan on corruption hunt but Islamists sceptical
Al-Arabiya, UAE
Jordan’s King Abdullah II is spearheading an anti-corruption drive against figures once seen as “untouchable,” but is failing to satisfy the powerful Islamist opposition’s demands for sweeping reform.
Latin America
Mexican authorities disband Veracruz police force in bid to stem corruption
The Guardian, UK
The entire police force in the Mexican port of Veracruz has been dissolved in an effort to root out corruption, and armed marines were sent in to patrol. A state spokeswoman said 800 police officers and 300 administrative staff had been laid off. They can re-apply for jobs, but must meet stricter standards.
North America
After resigning, tearful U.S. state senator pleads guilty to accepting bribes
The New York Times, U.S.
An influential New York lawmaker, Carl Kruger, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and two counts of bribery conspiracy.
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