BAE Bosses Detained by U.S. Investigators Over Saudi Arms Bribery Case
May 19th, 2008This is an astonishing case of life imitating Yes Minister, an outstanding BBC television series from the 1980s. Check out the plot summary for The Moral Dimension. This wasn’t bribery! Oh Heavens no. This was, “creative negotiation.”
I think that my favorite Yes, Minister episode is Whiskey Priest, but it’s a tough call.
Anyway… Back to our regularly scheduled programming.
I can’t imagine that this will go anywhere. This is just a case of sore loser on the part of the U.S. armaments firms not being able to bribe the right Saudi goon. Better luck next time!
Via: Telegraph:
Two senior executives at Britain’s biggest defence company were detained last week by American authorities investigating corruption allegations, the Telegraph has learnt.
Mike Turner, the chief executive of BAE Systems, was held with a senior colleague as they landed in America. Personal electronic equipment, including laptops and BlackBerries, was seized and examined before the pair were released.
The detentions are part of an investigation by the US Department of Justice into allegations surrounding the £43 billion al-Yamamah arms deal with Saudi Arabia. BAE has been accused of making tens of millions of pounds in illegal payments to Saudi officials, although the company maintains it has always acted lawfully.
In December 2006 the Government announced that the Serious Fraud Office was dropping its investigation into the al-Yamamah deal, prompting political controversy. America is continuing its inquiries.
Heh, I like that show too. Public TV shows it here.