News Business Crime & Financial Services 4th Oct 2021

Jonathan Kinnear QC and Howard Watkinson act in $8 billion corruption case

Jonathan Kinnear QC and Howard Watkinson (along with Tom Payne from Red Lion Court) acted for the SFO in the prosecution and sentence of Petrofac Limited.

On 1 October 2021 Petrofac entered guilty pleas to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery, contrary to s.7 of the Bribery Act 2010 in respect of corrupt contracts awarded to them in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the UAE worth approximately $3.67 billion.

Petrofac was sentenced on 4 October 2021 and ordered to pay a financial package of £77 million, made up of a £47 million fine, £23 million confiscation order and £7 million in costs.

David Lufkin, a former senior Petrofac executive, had already entered guilty pleas to 14 counts of bribery, contrary to s.1 of the Bribery Act 2010 in respect of contracts worth approximately $8.4 billion.  He provided the SFO with assistance further to a s.73 SOCPA agreement.  He received a 2 year custodial sentence, suspended for two years.

The pleas and sentence, amongst the largest passed by the Courts in respect of bribery and corruption, followed a 4 year investigation during which Jonathan and Howard provided strategic advice on all aspects of the investigation and subsequent sentence.


 


Categories: News