Former chief executive charged with corruption and money laundering
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Bruce Hall, the former chief executive of Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. ('Alba'), has been charged at Westminster Magistrates Court with corruption offences relating to contracts for the supply of goods and services.
Mr Hall, an Australian national, is alleged to have received bribes whilst an employee of Alba, a smelting company in Bahrain with majority state ownership. He is alleged to have received the payments in return for awarding contracts for the supply goods and services to Alba.
- Conspiracy to corrupt contrary to the Criminal Law Act 1977 and the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906;
- Corruption contrary to the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906; and
- Acquiring and transferring criminal property contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
This development follows the charges against Victor Dahdaleh in October last year (see our earlier e-alerter on this topic). Mr Dahdaleh is alleged to have made payments of bribes to officials of Alba.
This case is indicative of the general increase in enforcement by the SFO and is further evidence of the prosecutor's intention to use anti-money laundering legislation in the fight against overseas corruption. Mr Hall's extradition is demonstrative of the increased emphasis on international cooperation between government agencies.