WASHINGTON, D.C. - A New Jersey-based construction management firm has been charged with bribing Indian officials several crores of rupees to win two major water developmental projects in Goa and in Guwahati.
The bribery of $976,630 for a Goa project by Louis Berger included that to a minister, the details of which have not been disclosed by the Department of Justice. On July 18, the company agreed to pay $17.1 million...
The bribery of $976,630 for a Goa project by Louis Berger included that to a minister, the details of which have not been disclosed by the Department of Justice. On July 18, the company agreed to pay $17.1 million...
criminal fine to resolve charges that it bribed officials in India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Kuwait to secure government construction management contracts.
Two of its former executives - Richard Hirsch (61) of Philippines, and James McClung (59) of the UAE - pleaded guilty to the bribery charges. McClung previously served as senior vice president responsible for the firm’s operations in India and in Vietnam.
Sentencing hearings for Hirsch and McClung are scheduled for November 5, 2015.
The Indian government, assisted by Japanese government, initiated the five-year Goa Water Supply and Sewerage Project to expand, rehabilitate and build water and sewerage facilities. Louis Berger was part of a consortium for the project in Goa. The consortium included two Japanese firms and an Indian partner.
The team developed a project management information system and plan, evaluated bids, reviewed design and construction plans, and ensured quality work was done on time and within budget, the company says on its website. Federal prosecutors, in their 11-page chargesheet, alleged that Louis Berger maintained a detailed diary and account of bribery made to Indian officials. Parrikar says two ex-ministers may be involved
Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar and his successor and Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar sought a CBI probe into the alleged bribery case. Parrikar also alleged that two former ministers in the previous Congress-led Digambar Kamat government might be involved in the bribery case but did not name anyone. Assam CM Orders Probe Assam’s Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on July 20 ordered a probe.Former minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was in-charge of the Guwahati Development Department when the contract was inked. Sarma, who resigned as minister last year, denied his involvement in the scam. A section of Congress leaders and opposition parties in Assam are demanding a thorough probe into the allegation.
Two of its former executives - Richard Hirsch (61) of Philippines, and James McClung (59) of the UAE - pleaded guilty to the bribery charges. McClung previously served as senior vice president responsible for the firm’s operations in India and in Vietnam.
Sentencing hearings for Hirsch and McClung are scheduled for November 5, 2015.
The Indian government, assisted by Japanese government, initiated the five-year Goa Water Supply and Sewerage Project to expand, rehabilitate and build water and sewerage facilities. Louis Berger was part of a consortium for the project in Goa. The consortium included two Japanese firms and an Indian partner.
The team developed a project management information system and plan, evaluated bids, reviewed design and construction plans, and ensured quality work was done on time and within budget, the company says on its website. Federal prosecutors, in their 11-page chargesheet, alleged that Louis Berger maintained a detailed diary and account of bribery made to Indian officials. Parrikar says two ex-ministers may be involved
Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar and his successor and Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar sought a CBI probe into the alleged bribery case. Parrikar also alleged that two former ministers in the previous Congress-led Digambar Kamat government might be involved in the bribery case but did not name anyone. Assam CM Orders Probe Assam’s Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on July 20 ordered a probe.Former minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was in-charge of the Guwahati Development Department when the contract was inked. Sarma, who resigned as minister last year, denied his involvement in the scam. A section of Congress leaders and opposition parties in Assam are demanding a thorough probe into the allegation.
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