Senior executives of BBC's associated companies arrested for alleged $13m bribery scam
2001-10-26
The ICAC has arrested 12 persons, including a director of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)'s commercial arm and a director of a UK company which acts as BBC's exclusive sourcing agent, for an alleged $13 million bribery scam.
Also arrested in the operation "Epistles" were a director of a company formed by the sourcing agent in Hong Kong and his wife, and six senior staff and two partners of four other Hong Kong companies which supplied watches and toys to BBC.
The investigation originated from a corruption report, alleging that some senior executives of the BBC's commercial arm had accepted illegal commissions to place orders with suppliers.
ICAC enquiries revealed that the director of BBC's commercial arm and two directors of the other two associated companies had allegedly accepted illegal commissions to the tune of $13 million from various suppliers between 1999 and 2001.
The illegal commissions were allegedly received in connection with BBC's orders for toys and watches placed with the suppliers.
These corrupt transactions allegedly took place in Hong Kong.
An ICAC officer is currently in Britain to liaise with the top management of BBC over the alleged bribery offence.
All the arrestees are currently on bail.
The director of BBC's commercial arm and the two directors of the two associated companies have surrendered to the ICAC their travel documents pursuant to court orders under Section 17A of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, pending further investigation s.
Also arrested in the operation "Epistles" were a director of a company formed by the sourcing agent in Hong Kong and his wife, and six senior staff and two partners of four other Hong Kong companies which supplied watches and toys to BBC.
The investigation originated from a corruption report, alleging that some senior executives of the BBC's commercial arm had accepted illegal commissions to place orders with suppliers.
ICAC enquiries revealed that the director of BBC's commercial arm and two directors of the other two associated companies had allegedly accepted illegal commissions to the tune of $13 million from various suppliers between 1999 and 2001.
The illegal commissions were allegedly received in connection with BBC's orders for toys and watches placed with the suppliers.
These corrupt transactions allegedly took place in Hong Kong.
An ICAC officer is currently in Britain to liaise with the top management of BBC over the alleged bribery offence.
All the arrestees are currently on bail.
The director of BBC's commercial arm and the two directors of the two associated companies have surrendered to the ICAC their travel documents pursuant to court orders under Section 17A of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, pending further investigation s.