The U.K. Serious Fraud Office’s investigation into suspected bribery and corruption involving arms company BAE Systems has finally led to someone being charged with a criminal offense.
An Austrian aristocrat, Count Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly, was charged in connection with defense contracts between BAE and certain countries in Eastern and Central Europe. Mensdorff-Pouilly is a former BAE agent.
The SFO has been investigating allegations of bribery and corruption involving BAE for years, but is yet to bring any charges against the company or its direct staff.
In 2006 the SFO dropped an investigation into arms deals BAE did with Saudi Arabia under pressure from the U.K. government, which said it was against the national interest.
Last year the SFO asked the Attorney General, the U.K.’s senior legal adviser, for permission to prosecute BAE over separate bribery allegations involving Africa and Eastern Europe after plea talks with the company collapsed. That request is still pending.
The charge sheet against Mensdorff-Pouilly alleges that between January 2002 and December 2008 he conspired to give or agree to give corrupt payments to government officials in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
The inducements were to secure government contracts for BAE Systems to provide fighter jets.
Mensdorff-Pouilly was charged with conspiracy to corrupt, contrary to the U.K.’s Criminal Law Act 1977.