UK authorities charged a sixth former Glencore Plc worker of their sweeping corruption case, as Alex Beard, the billionaire former head of oil on the commodities big, appeared for the primary time at a London courtroom.
Beard, 57, was accused final month by the Severe Fraud Workplace of conspiring to make corrupt funds to authorities officers and state-owned oil agency workers in Nigeria and Cameroon greater than a decade in the past.
Additionally showing on Tuesday was David Perez, one other ex-Glencore worker, who was charged with corruption.
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Beard, amongst Glencore’s longest-serving high executives earlier than his departure in 2019, is among the most senior oil merchants ever charged with a criminal offense. His lawyer indicated on the Westminster Magistrates Court docket listening to that Beard would plead not responsible.
Showing alongside them was Andy Gibson, Glencore’s ex-head of oil operations. Gibson, Beard’s second in command, was accused of 4 counts of conspiracy to make corrupt funds in Nigeria and Cameroon between 2007 and 2014, and Ivory Coast between 2007 and 2010. He was additionally alleged to have conspired to falsify invoices.
A lawyer for the SFO stated for the primary time in courtroom that among the costs had been centered on Glencore’s relationship with a Nigerian agent and their firm Amazoil Ltd. The lawyer stated employees supplied a “sham cowl” for the switch of cash and money withdrawals from Glencore’s London workplace.
Former Glencore workers Paul Hopkirk, Ramon Labiaga and Martin Wakefield had been additionally in courtroom accused of varied costs of constructing corrupt funds to authorities officers and workers at state owned oil corporations spanning Cameroon, Nigeria and The Ivory Coast.
The choose despatched the case to Southwark Crown Court docket and the following listening to is scheduled to happen on Oct. 8. All six had been granted unconditional bail by the choose.
Legal professionals for Gibson and Hopkirk additionally indicated that they might plead not responsible. The opposite defendant’s legal professionals stated no plea had been indicated.
The six males, solely talking to verify their identities, had been crammed right into a small courtroom with dozens of legal professionals and journalists. Beard wore a navy jacket, open neck shirt and grey trousers.
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