Political Corruption

A Collection of Links on politics and political corruption in relation to financial scandals.

See also  Money in Fiction History of Money

Contents

International Sources

The Internet Center for Corruption Research
A Joint Initiative of Transparency International and the University of Passau, the Center publishes an annual ranking of countries by the extent of perceived corruption in public administration, the Corruption Perceptions Index 2011. A ranking of the world's countries from the least to the most corrupt.
 
Global Corruption Reports
The annual corruption reports from Transparency International focus on corruption in different fields.
 
Suharto, Marcos and Mobuto head corruption table with $50bn scams
A list of the top 10 most corrupt politicians of the past two decades compiled by Transparency International. The Guardian, 26 March 2004.
 
The Economics of Corruption
A series of lectures to be given by Professor Johann Graf Lambsdorff at the University of Passau in October 2004.
 
Opacity Index 2009
A ranking countries by their opacity, i.e. "the lack of clear, accurate, formal, easily-discernible and widely accepted practices". Corruption, the legal system and enforcement, economic policies, accounting guidelines, and regulatory frameworks are all taken into account in judging opacity. This was originally a PriceWaterhouseCoopers project but is now a product of the Kurtzman Group.
 

British Official Organizations, Political Parties and Companies

Keeping tainted money from corrupt Polly Peck tycoon shames the Tories, says ex-Treasurer
Lord McAlpine, the man who was Tory Treasurer when the party accepted almost £500,000 from corrupt Polly Peck tycoon Asil Nadir, said last night that David Cameron was under a ‘moral duty’ to give the money back. Daily Mail, 24 August 2012.
 
Tory Peter Cruddas quits after donor access claims
Conservative Party co-treasurer Peter Cruddas has resigned after secretly filmed footage showed him apparently offering access to the prime minister for a donation of £250,000 a year. BBC, 25 March 2012.
 
How Ken Livingstone funnelled £238,000 through 'tax-avoidance' scheme
Mr Livingstone, Labour's candidate for the London mayoralty, has condemned tax avoiders as "rich b*******" who should "not be allowed to vote". However, he has faced accusations of hypocrisy after it was revealed that he has himself channelled his earnings through a personal company, Silveta Ltd, paying corporation tax at 20 or 21 per cent rather than income tax at up to 50 per cent. Telegraph, 11 March 2012.
 
Lord Taylor guilty of making false expenses claims
Ex-Tory peer Lord Taylor of Warwick has been found guilty of making £11,277 in false parliamentary expenses claims. BBC, 25 January 2011.
 
Labour steps up pressure on Tories in Sheffield Forgemasters sleaze row
Andrew Cook, a millionaire Tory donor, who successfully lobbied for the cancellation of a government loan to a promising engineering company, admitted he had wanted to invest in it himself. Guardian, 22 July 2010.
 
'Grubby' Alex Salmond admits selling more lunches
Alex Salmond has been accused of “grubby behaviour” after he and his deputy admitted auctioning six events at the Scottish Parliament to raise money for the SNP. Daily Telegraph, 7 February 2010.
 
Peter Robinson stands aside as Northern Ireland First Minister over wife’s affair
Peter Robinson stood aside as Northern Ireland First Minister to cope with the fallout from his wife’s affair with a teenager and allegations of financial misconduct. Daily Telegraph, 12 January 2010.
 
Timeline: Peter and Iris Robinson affair allegations
Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson is coming under increased political pressure over allegations about his wife's financial affairs. BBC 11 January 2010.
 
Speaker to investigate Tony Blair over Bernie Ecclestone affair
Michael Martin, the Speaker of the House of Commons, has said that he will investigate whether the former prime minister "deliberately misled" Parliament over the government's intervention to secure Formula One's exemption from a tobacco advertising ban just hours after he met Mr Ecclestone, who ran the sport. Daily Telegraph, 14 October 2008.
 
George Osborne could have breached donations law by 'discussing' donations
Denis MacShane, a former minister, has suggested that Mr Osborne might have "committed a crime" by talking about how Oleg Deripaska might donate money to the Conservative Party via a British company, even though no donation took place. Daily Telegraph, 23 Oct 2008.
 
Wendy Alexander quits over funding scandal
The Labour leader in the Scottish Parliament resigned giving "a witch hunt" over funding allegations as the reason. Observer, June 29, 2008.
 
UK Parliament: Members' Allowances
The official version of MPs' expenses which has attracted widespread public ridicule since many details have been blacked out.
 
The Daily Telegraph's Investigation into MPs' Expenses
The Daily Telegraph has been supplied with full details of the expenses claims that Members of Parliament had been trying to conceal for years and its articles show exactly why the politicians have been terrified of the full story of their greed and mendacity becoming public. 10 May 2009.
 
Smith asked to explain expenses
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said she will "answer any questions" Parliament's sleaze watchdog has about £116,000 in "second home" expenses. BBC, 18 February 2009.
 
"Over 100 MPs" in multi-million tax dodge over second homes
More than 100 MPs are using their expenses to commit a multi-million-pound tax dodge, it was claimed last night. Mail on Sunday 29 June 2008.
 
Livingstone aide Jasper quits after email claims
The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone accepted the resignation of senior aide Lee Jasper following a string of claims about Mr Jasper's alleged misuse of City Hall funds. The Independent 4 March 2008.
 
Ken's aide and lost millions
Lee Jasper, a senior adviser to the Mayor, Ken Livingstone, is under GLA investigation after at least £2.5 million in City Hall money was channelled to organisations controlled by himself, his friends and his business associates. Evening Standard, 5 December 2007.
 
Fury as Blair sacks sleaze watchdog "for criticising ministers"
Sir Alistair Graham, Britain's anti-sleaze watchdog, has lambasted Tony Blair after he was effectively sacked from his post for being too critical of the Government. Evening Standard, 14 March 2007.
 
Firms accused of bribing Saddam to be investigated by fraud office
The Serious Fraud Office has launched an investigation into allegations that a number of major UK-based firms paid bribes to Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. The Guardian, February 14, 2007.
 
BAE admits guilt over corrupt arms deals
The arms giant BAE agreed to pay out almost £300m in penalties, as it finally admitted guilt over its worldwide conduct, in the face of long-running corruption investigations. Guardian, 6 February 2010.
 
Will BAE Scandal of Century Bring Down Cheney?
Claims that US vice President Dick Cheney was the guarantor that the story of the alledged $80-100 billion dollar fund would never see the light of day.
 
OECD to conduct a further examination of UK efforts against bribery
At its March 2007 meeting, the OECD Working Group on Bribery reaffirmed its serious concerns about the United Kingdom’s discontinuance of the BAE Al Yamamah investigation and outlined continued shortcomings in UK Anti-Bribery legislation.
 
Blair forced Goldsmith to drop BAE charges
The attorney general, Lord Goldsmith, changed his mind about whether there was enough evidence to bring corruption charges against the arms company BAE after pressure from Downing Street, it is claimed. The Guardian, February 1, 2007.
 
Blair blasted over Tanzania deal
The UK sold a "useless" air traffic control system to Tanzania in 2001 in a "scandalous" and "squalid" deal, the House of Commons has been told. BBC, 31 January 2007.
 
"Offer of Lords seat to rebel Welsh MP authorised by Blair"
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain was authorised by Tony Blair to offer a Labour rebel politician a peerage not to stand against the party, a North Wales MP claimed. 5 May 2006.
 
Judge refuses to gag the Guardian
The Guardian last night successfully resisted an attempt by the attorney general, Lord Goldsmith, to prevent the publication of a story about the role of Lord Levy, Labour's chief fundraiser, in the cash for honours case. Guardian, March 6, 2007.
 
Cash For Honours: Timeline
A chronology of events in the cash for honours inquiry.
 
Shock new Levy arrest in honours "cover-up"
Tony Blair's money-man Lord Levy, known as "Lord Cashpoint" has been arrested by police on suspicion of conspiring to pervert the course of justice. Western Mail, 31 January 2007.
 
Blair questioned in honours probe
Prime Minister Tony Blair has been interviewed by police investigating cash for honours allegations.It is thought to be the first time a serving prime minister has been questioned by police conducting a criminal investigation. BBC, 14 December 2006.
 
Head denies cash for honour claim
Des Smith,the headmaster and ex-government adviser arrested as part of the cash for honours probe, will deny allegations against him. BBC, 18 April 2006.
 
Q&A: Cash for peerages row
Tony Blair has been accused of providing "peerages for cash". He denies nominating them in return for donations or loans to Labour. BBC, 20 March 2006.
 
Sleazy Labour's £2m raid on council tax funds
Police have launched a new investigation into Labour sleaze after whistleblower Bryn Sidaway revealed that the party in Sunderland is creaming off at least £2m a year of taxpayers' money directly into party coffers. Daily Mail, 24th November 2006.
 
Jowell finances furore heats up
Pressure continues to mount on Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell whose husband David Mills has repeatedly denied using an alleged £344,000 bribe from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to pay off the couple's joint mortgage. BBC, 1 March 2006.
 
David Blunkett
Articles from the Scotsman about the career of one of Britain's most remarkable politicians who resigned from the cabinet a second time after controversy over share dealings.
 
Hewitt caves in on corruption rules
Patricia Hewitt, the trade secretary, has been forced to retract her decision to water down official rules against company corruption. Rob Evans, the Guardian, January 14, 2005.
 
Corner House Double Victory on UK Government Department's Anti-Bribery Rules and Public Interest Litigation
Corner House Research claimed a double victory in the public interest after settling a High Court action and winning fresh consultations with the Government's Export Credits Guarantee Department. 25 January 2005.
 
Reid blocked freedom of information on Powderject, says watchdog
The parliamentary ombudsman has expressed deep disappointment at the failure of John Reid, the health secretary, to comply with her rulings on freedom of information. For two years John Reid's department has refused to give information about the award of a £32m contract, without normal competitive tendering, to Powderject for smallpox vaccine shortly after Powderject's owner donated £100,000 to Labour. Guardian, May 25, 2004.
 
BAE chairman named in 'slush fund' files
Sir Dick Evans, the retiring chairman of BAE has been named in allegations concerning the arms firm's £60m "slush fund". Documents previously seized by MoD police detail £17m of alleged payments to a Saudi responsible for arms purchases from Britain, Prince Turki bin Nasser. The Guardian, May 5, 2004.
 
Iain Duncan Smith in the clear
The former Conservative Leader has been officially cleared of claims that he used taxpayers' money to pay his wife Betsy for work she did not do. 30 March 2004.
 
Met inquiry into Galloway recommended
The Serious Fraud Office has recommended that the Metropolitan Police investigate allegations that George Galloway may have broken UN sanctions by receiving oil money from Saddam Hussein. The Guardian, March 30 2007.
 
George Galloway MP
An unofficial website.
 
Galloway turns tables on Washington
US, British press describe how Britain's "Street fighter" humiliated his accusers on Iraq. Middle East Online, 18 May 2005.
 
Galloway wins libel case against Telegraph
Former Labour MP George Galloway has won £150,000 in damages in his libel action against the Telegraph. The Guardian, December 2, 2004.
 
Galloway wins damages for Saddam slur
A US newspaper has apologised and will pay damages to MP George Galloway over wrongful allegations that he was paid millions of pounds by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Guardian, March 19, 2004.
 
Galloway row: Claims and rebuttal
Labour MP George Galloway has denied claims by the Daily Telegraph newspaper that Iraqi intelligence documents show he took money from Saddam Hussein's regime. BBC, 23 April 2003.
 
UK Treasury Annual Fraud Reports
An analysis of reported fraud in Government Departments.
 
Blair faces new 'Steelgate' row
Tony Blair is accused of undermining the British steel industry by his support for Mittal. BBC, 6 March 2002.
 
The mercantilist fallacy that traps Tony Blair
An article by Samuel Brittan on the lessons of the Mittal affair and similar controversies. Financial Times, 28 February 2002.
 
Sorry end for headline-grabbing Dame Shirley
The unanimous ruling against Dame Shirley Porter by the law lords marks the official end of the longest running and biggest local government corruption scandal in Britain. 
The Guardian, December 14, 2001.
 
Commons reopens row over Hinduja passport
A Commons committee is to re-open the row over the Hinduja passport application by summoning two Whitehall permanent secretaries to answer allegations that they obstructed an investigation by parliament's independent ombudsman, Sir Michael Buckley. Guardian, June 11, 2002.
 
On the Hinduja trail
An account, from an Indian magazine, of the allegations that the Hinduja brothers were involved in bribery in connection with defence contracts and applied for British passports in order to try and avoid extradition to India.
 
Mandelson - Hinduja Affair Timeline
An outline of the developments that led to Peter Mandelson's second resignation from the British government.
 
Ex-minister banned for three weeks
Geoffrey Robinson, the controversial former minister, was facing a three-week suspension yesterday from the House of Commons for misleading MPs over a £200,000 payment from a company owned by disgraced Labour tycoon, Robert Maxwell. The Guardian, October 25, 2001.
 
Keith Vaz and Geoffrey Robinson
Within a week of publishing a report into alleged links between Europe minister Keith Vaz and the Hinduja brothers, Elizabeth Filkin, the Commons standards commissioner, has announced two fresh inquiries - another one into Vaz and one into the former paymaster general, Geoffrey Robinson. The Guardian, March 22, 2001.
 
Second term snub for MPs' anti-sleaze watchdog
Elizabeth Filkin, the tenacious official who investigates allegations of misconduct against MPs, has been denied reappointment for a second term after falling foul of the parliamentary establishment at Westminster. The Guardian, October 19, 2001.
 
MI6 Spied on the Bundesbank
A former British secret agent, Richard Tomlinson, has alleged that MI6 had a spy in the Bundesbank code-named Orcada, who provided inside information on Germany's proposed interest rate movements - a claim that could almost have come straight from the pages of Nest of Vipers!
 
BA Gough Equipment Ltd - A Victim of a Cover-Up
Alleges that the British government has acted to conceal and maintain a £1.3 billion fraud against the BA Gough Equipment company.
 
My experiences, the Scott Inquiry, the British Legal System
An account by the former chairman of Astra Holdings, Gerald Reaveley James, of the inquiry into the arms for Iraq affair.
 
Lord Ashcroft to be called before MPs over peerage controversy
Lord Ashcroft, the biggest Tory donor, is to be called before an influential committee of MPs amid controversy over his peerage, one of its members said. Daily Telegraph, 4 March 2010.
 
 
Conservatives urged to suspend Ashcroft donations
David Cameron faced calls to suspend donations from Lord Ashcroft while Britain's elections watchdog examines the multi-millionaire Tory deputy chairman's business arrangements after the Electoral Commission began a formal investigation into donations from an Ashcroft company, Bearwood Corporate Services. The Guardian, 23 February 2009.
 
The case of British Tory Treasurer Michael Ashcroft: wealth, patronage and parliamentary politics
An account of the controversy over reports on his business dealings in Belize, including allegations involving money laundering that caused Michael Ashcroft to issue a libel writ against the Times. By Tony Hyland 4 August 1999.
 

The European Union and Member States

Cypriot president 'warned his friends to move money abroad' before financial crisis hit new!
The respected Cypriot newspaper Filelftheros made the allegation that Cypriot president Nikos Anastasiades 'warned' close friends of the financial crisis about to engulf his country so they could move their money abroad. Daily Mail, 23 March 2013.
 
German president resigns and could face prosecution in corruption scandal
Christian Wulff was picked by Angela Merkel for head of state role but couldn't shake off row over improper business ties Guardian, 17 February 2012.
 
Britain refuses to sign off on EU budget
Britain has for the first time refused to sign off the European Union budget in a protest at “material errors” worth €4 billion in the 2010 Brussels accounts, the 17th failed audit in a row. Sweden and the Netherlands also refused to sign of the budget. Daily Telegraph, 22 February 2012.
 
Court of Auditors report
The way in which the EU spends its budget has been criticised by the Court of Auditors for the 16th year in a row! BBC, 11 November 2010.
 
EU Fingers States Prone to Accounts Errors
In a break with previous policy, a European court has named and shamed Spain, Italy, and Portugal for making 80% of all errors in accounting for regional aid. The European Court of Auditors on Tuesday was for the 15th year in a row unable to sign off the EU accounts. Europe November 11, 2009.
 
EU financial watchdog 'systemically sabotaged fraud investigations'
The EU's financial watchdog has systemically "sabotaged" investigations and caved into intimidation from countries including France and Italy to cover up fraud, according to Maarten Engwirda, a former Dutch member of European Court of Auditors. Daily Telegraph, 11 January 2011.
 
Sacked EU whistleblower loses claim
The EU's civil service tribunal has utterly disgraced itself by rejecting Marta Andreasen's bid to have her dismissal annulled and instead upheld every single complaint made against her by the commission. Daily Telegraph, 9 November 2007.
 
Why aren't we shocked by a corrupt EU?
The shocking thing is that we're no longer shocked. Yesterday, for the thirteenth consecutive year, the European Court of Auditors refused to approve the EU budget. Daily Telegraph, 14 November 2007.
 
EC's 'sordid accounting' damned in email from top auditor
The European Commission has a "chronically sordid" accounting system and is still unable to keep track of the EU's £73billion budget after a decade of financial scandals, according to a top EU insider, Jules Muis, who also defended Marta Andreasen who was sacked after criticising the EU's lack of effective action on preventing fraud. Daily Telegraph, 15 March 2005.
 
Sacked EU whistleblower defiant
The European Commission's former chief accountant, who claimed there were holes in the EU budget system, says she will fight against her sacking. BBC, 14 October 2004.
 
For E.U. Critics, a Cautionary Tale
Police raided the home of Hans-Martin Tillack, an investigative reporter for the German newsweekly Stern in what is seen as retaliation for a story exposing fraud and waste inside the European Union. Glenn Frankel, Washington Post, August 15, 2004.
 
Profile: Marta Andreasen, Personality of the Year
Marta Andreasen. Here, she tells Michelle Perry why she blew the whistle and why she would do it again. Financial Directory, 27 November 2003.
 
EU whistleblower hung out to dry
Neil Kinnock, the European Commission vice-president, is to be questioned by MEPs about an alleged cover-up of mismanagement and cronyism by the EU's statistics body, Eurostat, after Dorte Schmidt-Brown, a "whistle-blowing" employee, were ignored. The Daily Telegraph, 21 July 2002.
 
EU accounting worse than Enron, says whistleblower
The European Commission is embroiled in a furious row with its suspended chief accountant, Marta Andreasen, who claimed its $US98 billion budget was "massively open to fraud" because it lacked even Enron's accountancy safeguards. August 3 2002.
 
Auditing Euro-Court corruption: the inside story from Luxembourg
'Whistleblower' Robert Dougal Watt speaks out. A world exclusive article from Just Response.
 
L'Oréal row minister to resign as Sarkozy party treasurer
Eric Woerth, the French minister at the heart of a political furore surrounding the fortune of L'Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, announced he would step down as treasurer of Nicolas Sarkozy's party in a move designed to appease critics calling for his resignation from the government. Guardian, 9 July 2010.
 
European carbon market suspended over fraud fears
The European carbon market has been thrown into turmoil after the scandal-hit scheme was suspended for a week over suspicions of fraud. Telegraph, 19 January 2011.
 
Carbon trading fraud in Belgium – “up to 90% of the whole market volume was caused by fraudulent activities”
Belgian prosecutors highlighted the massive losses faced by EU governments from VAT fraud after they charged three Britons and a Dutchman with money-laundering following an investigation into a multimillion-pound scam involving carbon emissions permits. A report on the Watts Up With That climate change website. January 2010.
 
European taxpayers lose €5bn in carbon trading fraud
The European Union has probably lost at least €5bn (£4.5bn) to VAT fraud related to carbon trading and there is a risk that the criminals will now shift their attention to Europe's electricity and gas markets, according to Europol. Guardian, 14 December 2009.
 
Bertie Ahern resigns from Fianna Fáil? in wake of corruption inquiry
Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has resigned from his political party in the wake of a corruption inquiry, but insisted the findings of the probe had dealt him a grave injustice. Telegraph, 24 March 2012.
 
Bertie Ahern resigns as Ireland's Prime Minister
Bertie Ahern has announced his resignation as Ireland's Prime Minister following sleaze allegations centring on a series of allegedly secret payments that he received from businessmen in the 1990s. Daily Telegraph 3 April 2008.
 
Brussels cleaning 'fraud' probed
Investigators are studying claims that European Commission cleaning contracts were faked in a four-year fraud potentially worth millions of euros. BBC, 4 June 2007.
 
EU official denied redress
Dorte Schmidt-Brown, the whistleblower who helped expose fraud at Eurostat, the EU data office, has been denied redress for the difficulties she suffered after helping expose the £3m looting of funds. Alex Hawkes, Accountancy Age 06 July 2005.
 
Final report on Eurostat fraud scandal highlights failings
The findings confirm those of the interim report which claimed that a "total lack of audit trail" at Eurostat enabled millions of euros to go missing in suspicious deals with outside contractors.
 
Court drops Cresson fraud charges
A Belgian court has dropped fraud charges against former French Prime Minister Edith Cresson for lack of evidence. The embezzlement charges related to a scandal that brought down the entire European Commission five years ago. BBC, 30 June 2004.
 
MEPs fight Euro election on fraud
Fierce criticism of the European Commission's financial reforms by its own former chief internal auditor has been seized on by the Conservatives to boost their election campaign. Accountancy Age, 27 May 2004.
 
Just Response - Europe
Corruption in European countries. From Just Response, a non-commercial online journal which provides an honest space for independent news coverage, analysis, investigation and opinion relating to all forms of injustice throughout the world.
 
New scandal hits EC over insider trading
The European Commission was embroiled in a fresh scandal after police raided its agriculture fiefdom in Brussels over alleged insider trading on the grain markets. Daily Telegraph, 17 October 2003.
 
Berlusconi tax fraud case resumes
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has gone back on trial accused of tax fraud. BBC, 16 November 2009.
 
Berlusconi Backlash: Court Deems Immunity Law Unconstitutional
Italy's highest court has annulled a controversial legal immunity law that had shielded top officials from prosecution while in office. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi could now once again face bribery charges. 14 January 2004.
 
An Italian story
Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s richest businessman, is expected to become prime minister again, although his companies have used money from untraceable sources and he faces allegations of links to the Mafia. The Economist, 26 April 2001.
 
Is the Corruption Crusade Over?
Across Europe, high-profile cases are coming to naught. Business Week, November 26, 2001
 
Questions and Answers on Corruption and Fraud in the European Union
Labour Euro-Safeguards Campaign Bulletin, May 1999.
 
The EU Fight Against Fraud Annual Reports
Press releases are available as well as the full text of the annual reports.
 
The Paul van Buitenen Report: How the European Commission deals with its internal irregularities and fraud
The full text of the report that the EU Commission tried to suppress.
 
The Paul van Buitenen Report
How the European Commission deals with its internal irregularities and fraud Paul van Buitenen Report wrote a book, Fight for Europe, after his report on fraud was ignored by the EU.
 
EU Fraud - a Billion-Dollar Bill
A European Commission report which says the European Union lost a billion dollars in 1998 because of fraud and fiscal irregularities. November 19, 1999
 
Psychology of Risk, Speculation and Fraud
by Linda Davies. How will financial speculators react to European Monetary Union? A novelist who is a former banker imagines the outcome.
 
Briton in divorce with French arms broker husband could hold key to 'Karachi affair'
Nicola Johnson, a British woman acrimoniously divorcing a French millionaire arms broker could hold the key to the “Karachi affair” that threatens to poison the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy. Daily Telegraph, 31 August 2011.
 
Jacques Chirac's trial opens in his absence in Paris
The trial of former French President Jacques Chirac on charges of illegal party funding during his time as mayor of Paris has opened in his absence. BBC, 5 September 2011.
 
New files 'link Chirac to secret Japanese bank account'
Jacques Chirac came under renewed pressure yesterday to respond to allegations that he held a secret £30m account with a Japanese bank, amid reports that documents had emerged linking the former French president to the funds. Guardian, May 25, 2007.
 
French president denies holding secret millions in Japanese bank
President Jacques Chirac has denied ever having possessed a Japanese bank account, his office said, in response to an allegation by the weekly newspaper Canard Enchaine. May 9, 2006.
 
Iskandar Safa and the French Hostage Scandal
French President Jacques Chirac allegedly ordered the payment of $3 million to obtain the release of 5 French nationals held hostage by Hezbollah. The illicit ransom payments were apparently intended to bolster Chirac's chances of defeating the late François Mitterand in the 1988 presidential elections. Middle East Intelligence Bulletin. March 12, 2002.
 
Chirac judge claims sabotage
The French investigating magistrate who led the main investigation into allegations of corruption against President Chirac has announced he's retiring, saying that his work was sabotaged. BBC, 14 January, 2002.
 
Video confession claims Chirac ordered cover-up
An investigating judge seized video tapes containing the confessions of the late Jean-Claude Méry that he had been told to lie to save the presidential campaign of the Gaullist leader. September 2000.
 
Spies lost €25m kitty meant to preserve France
French spies have lost a secret war chest of €25m meant to fund a government-in-exile in the event of invasion or nuclear attack. The money was hidden in bank accounts and investments controlled by a handful of intelligence officers who passed on the details by word of mouth. Kim Willsher, The Guardian, November 11, 2006.
 
Former French PM hits back over scandal
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has strongly denied claims that he targeted his rival Nicolas Sarkozy in a corruption investigation. BBC, 4 May 2006.
 
Former French PM found guilty of corruption
Former French prime minister Alain Juppé has been found guilty of corruption and barred from holding public office for a decade. The Guardian, January 30, 2004.
 
French ex-minister on trial for forgery
Ex-finance minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn is facing charges of forgery, two years after he was forced to resign from the government when the allegations surfaced. BBC, 1 October 2001.
 
Managers Sentenced to Jail in Elf Corruption Trial
In France's biggest corporate crime trial, a judge sentenced two former Elf Aquitaine executives to five years in prison for using company money as bribes. 13 November 2003.
 
French court blocks corruption book
A French court has blocked the publication of a book by Eva Joly, a former investigating magistrate who exposed corruption at the Elf oil company. BBC, 19 June 2003.
 
Elf Corruption Trial Reaches French Courts
The biggest trial in postwar French history opens in Paris as 37 suspects face charges of profiting from corruption and illegal kickbacks in the early 1990s in conjunction with the French oil company Elf-Aquitaine. Deutsche Welle, 18 March 2003.
 
Elf's former top managers stand trial for embezzling millions in the 1990s
  One of France’s biggest ever corruption trials has opened in Paris. Thirty-seven people face charges of embezzling hundreds of millions of dollars from the formerly state-owned oil company Elf, as part of a vast network of government-sponsored sleaze. The Scotsman, 18 March 2003.
 
Former French foreign minister acquitted in Elf corruption case
The Paris appeals court has acquitted former French foreign minister Roland Dumas on charges stemming from a corruption scandal at the formerly state-owned oil group Elf. 29 January 2003.
 
French elite hit by sleaze claims
The disgraced French former Foreign Minister, Roland Dumas, has accused ministers in the current government of involvement in a corruption scandal surrounding the former state-owned oil giant, Elf. BBC, 18 June 2001.
 
French ex-minister spared jail term
The prosecution asked for a suspended sentence for Roland Dumas. For his former mistress, Christine Deviers-Joncour, the prosecutors demanded six months, for Loik Le Floch-Prigent, former head of the Elf oil company, 22 months, and for his deputy Alfred Sirven, 30 months suspended. BBC 19 November 2002.
 
All over bar the tears in France's sleaze trial
The trial of former French foreign minister Roland Dumas ended on March 21 but the verdict is not expected until May. He is facing two years in jail and a multimillion-franc fine if he is found guilty of misusing funds from the oil company Elf-Aquitaine. The Guardian, March 22, 2001
 
Dumas on trial over sleaze claims
The former French foreign minister, Roland Dumas, and his ex-mistress have gone on trial in Paris accused of misappropriating funds from the former state-owned oil company, Elf. The BBC, 22 January, 2001.
 
Election blow to Schröder as minister is fired over sleaze claim
Rudolf Scharping, Germany's defence minister, was replaced after it was reported that he had taken payments from a PR consultant with links to the arms industry. The Guardian, July 19, 2002.
 
Kohl's legacy: Burnished or tarnished?
The decision of a Bonn court to lift the threat of prosecution against Helmut Kohl for breaking the law on party funding has boosted his attempt to save his long-term reputation as the chancellor of German unification. BBC, 2 March, 2001.
 
Greasing the Wheels
Allegations of high-level international influence peddling have shattered Germany's complacency. Time magazine February 7, 2000.
 
Silence Is Not Always Golden
Swiss banks' "ask-no-questions" policy has become a major liability because of bad publicity resulting from their use as a haven for money looted by dictators. Time magazine, February 7, 2000.
 
Heads roll in Spanish finance scam
The Gescartera brokerage house collapsed, and its main shareholder was jailed, in July after $100m (£68m) in clients' money was found to have disappeared. As the investigation into Gescartera proceeded, links between Gescartera and senior politicians become clearer. BBC 21 September, 2001.
 
Tudo em Família
Information in Portuguese, English and French about a book on political-financial scandals in Portugal. The legal system, politicians and some banks are all accused.
 

The Holocaust

Business and the Holocaust
Information about links between major companies, including banks, and the Nazi regime.
 
Holocaust Restitution
Information about the claims procedure for assets deposited in banks by Nazi victims.
 
Nazi Gold and other Holocaust Assets
Official US source on Allied attempts to recover gold and other assets stolen or hidden by Germany during World War II.
 
Holocaust-Era Assets Bibliography: Banking
An annotated bibliography with some links. Part of the Holocaust-Era Assets website.
 

US Political & Financial Scandals in General

Former Illinois governor guilty in corruption case
Former Gov. George Ryan was convicted of of steering state contracts and leases, including a $25 million IBM computer deal, to political insiders. The Seattle Times, April 18, 2006.
 
Lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleads guilty and Washington trembles
A portrait of political corruption that rivals any other in US history. 10 January 2006.
 
DeLay relinquishes Congress post
Republican politician Tom DeLay who has been accused of laundering corporate contributions for use in political campaigns has given up his attempt to reclaim his post as majority leader of the US House of Representatives. BBC, 7 January 2006.
 
The Tom DeLay Scandals
A scorecard. Slate, April 7, 2005.
 
Cheney papers to be kept secret
The US Supreme Court has refused to order Vice President Dick Cheney to release secret papers detailing the administration's energy policy. Environmental groups think the documents would prove that the Bush administration was too close to Enron. BBC, 24 June 2004.
 
Cheney Coordinated Halliburton Iraq Contract: Report
A Pentagon e-mail said Vice President Dick Cheney coordinated a huge Halliburton government contract for Iraq, despite Cheney's denial of interest in the company he ran until 2000. Agence France Presse, May 31, 2004.
 
The Axis of Corporate Evil
Charts the links between the President Bush and Vice President Cheney and various corporations.
 
Federal Memo Says Torricelli Took Bribes for Political Favors
New and potentially damaging questions have surfaced after a federal appeals court ordered the release of a secret memorandum in which federal prosecutors probing Sen. Robert Torricelli's relationship with a Korean businessman, David Chang. September 2002.
 
Who is James A. Traficant, Jr. of Ohio?
The home page of the former member of the House of Representatives who was jailed for bribery.
 
Free Traficant
The web site of campaigners to free the jailed American politician.
 
The Short Seller and the FBI
The FBI suffered yet another humiliation with the indictment of its own informant, short seller Anthony Elgindy, whom, it was claimed, manipulated stocks after being fed secret FBI information.
 
FBI: Elgindy May Have Known About 9/11 Attacks
An Egyptian-born financial analyst charged in a nationwide stock swindle may have known about the September 11 terrorist attacks and tried to profit from them, a federal prosecutor claimed, May 24, 2002.
 
Enron scandal: the threat to Bush
How far is the White House entwined in the biggest bankruptcy in US history? The Observer, 13 January 2002. See also Classic Financial Scandals for more details of the Enron case.
 
Anti-corruption group sues Cheney
US Vice-President Dick Cheney is to be sued by the anti-corruption pressure group Judicial Watch for alleged fraudulent accounting practices while he was a director of the oil company Halliburton in the 1990s. BBC, 10 July 2002.
 
Bush’s Insider Connections Preceded Huge Profit On Stock Deal
Allegations of insider trading by George Bush when he was governor of Texas.
 
The Bush-Cheney Drug Empire
Allegations of links between the US president and vice president, the CIA, and drug traffickers and money launderers.
 
Investigators Follow the Money Trail in Clinton Pardon
A House committee is following the money trail involved in former President Clinton's pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich. February 13, 2001.
 
Rich's '$450,000' for Clinton library
More on the controversial pardon for Marc Rich. BBC, 10 February, 2001.
 
Clinton's Rogues Gallery
Discusses allegations of links with CDFI and BCCI.
 
When Uncle Sam was a drugs runner
An article in the Times, Monday 19 February 2001, by William Rees Mogg on the Meana airport scandal. The article attacks the failure of the American press to investigate what Rees Mogg calls "the biggest scandal of modern American history."
 
Investigation of Illegal or Improper Activities in Connection with 1996 Federal Election Campaigns
Final Report of the Committee on Government Affairs, Senate Rept. 105-167, March 10, 1998.
 
Defrauding America by Rodney Stich
A website devoted to a book which alleges that the CIA, DEA and other agencies of the US government have carried out covert operations in connection with corrupt financial institutions.
 
The Arming of Iraq
Evidence of the involvement of the Atlanta branch of Banca Nazionale del Lavoro and the testimony of its manager Christopher Drogoul before the House Banking Committee.
 
The Great Texas Bank Job
Allegations regarding campaign finance corruption and the looting of Savings & Loans and banks in Texas.
 
List of Public Corruption Cases in the US by Larry Becraft
Very brief details of cases involving congressmen, judges and other senior officials.
 
Credit Mobilier scandal
Financial scandals are nothing new. The Credit Mobilier scandal of 1872-1873, during President Ulysses S. Grant's administration, damaged the careers of several Gilded Age politicians.
 

Whitewater Scandal

Widespread but unsubstantiated allegations dogged Bill and Hillary Clinton throughout his presidency.

Untangling Whitewater
An archive of coverage and related background information on the Whitewater investigations from the Washington Post.
 
The Whitewater Scandal timeline
A chronology of from CNN.
 

Japan

Scandal-hit Japanese politician testifies
Muneo Suzuki denied in sworn testimony before parliament that he had rigged bids for overseas construction projects. BBC, 11 March 2002.
 
Mori apologizes, but faces no confidence vote
The then Japanese prime minister apologised after Masakuni Murakami, the former Labour Minister, was arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes worth about $615,000 from the KSD foundation.
 
Nukaga quits
Fukushiro Nukaga, state minister for the economy, industry and information technology resigned to take responsibility for an influence-peddling scandal. Mainichi Daily News, January 24, 2001.
 
Japanese Cabinet minister resigns over financial scandal
Kimitaka Kuze, head of the Financial Reconstruction Commission, was forced to step down following revelations he received nearly $2.1 million from Mitsubishi Trust and Banking Corp. between 1989 and 1994. CNN August 1, 2000.
 
Who got Yakuza into our banking system?
An article on the relationship between the Yakuza and the banks, by Takano Hajime.
 
Yakuza: Past and Present
By Adam Johnson.
 
The Yakuza
An outline of the history of the Yakuza and links to other sources of information about it - from the Japan, Incorporated web site.
 
The Social Contradictions of Japanese Capitalism
An article by Murray Sayle in the Atlantic Monthly, June 1998, in which he discusses Japan's financial problems, including the arrest of a high official of the Bank of Japan on a charge of bribery - the first-ever arrest in the Japanese central bank's 116-year history.
 
Bank of Japan Governor to resign
Bank of Japan Governor Yasuo Matsushita tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto after the arrest of a senior bank official on bribery charges. BBC, March 12, 1998.
 
What Next Japan?
The fall of the central bank chief, who took responsibility for alleged wrongdoing at the bank following the arrest of an official there on bribery charges, damages the bureaucrats and boosts the power of politicians
 

Other Countries and Cases involving Several Countries

Neil Heywood case sheds light on privileged lifestyles of China's elite
One of the most explosive elements of the scandal is how communist dynasties have used their influence to amass wealth. Guardian, 26 April 2012.
 
India corruption: Protests swell in support of Hazare
Tens of thousands of Indians have poured onto streets across the country in support of the jailed anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare. BBC, 17 August 2011.
 
India anti-corruption chief PJ Thomas forced to resign
The head of India's anti-corruption watchdog has been forced to resign by the Supreme Court on the grounds that he himself faces corruption charges. BBC, 3 March 2011.
 
'Wanted' man issues legal threat to Interpol
Lawyers for Rafat Ali Rizvi, a UK national who is facing a potential death sentence for his alleged role in the collapse of one of Indonesia's leading banks, have warned Interpol that he will sue for millions in reputational damages unless the "red notice" issued against him is removed. Daily Telegraph 10 April 2010.
 
The Lockerbie bomber scandal: Gordon Brown has sold Britain’s reputation for thirty pieces of silver
by Nile Gardiner, Daily Telegraph Blog, September 6th, 2009.
By allegedly allowing consideration of commercial interests to influence the decision to release the Lockerbie bomber the Prime Minister has damaged Britain's reputation and long-term interests.
 
Serious Fraud Office investigating Barclays payments to Qatar
Barclays faces criminal investigation into payments made to Qatar Holding after bank sought emergency funding in 2008. Guardian, 30 August 2012.
 
Ehud Olmert indicted on three corruption charges in Israel
The former Israeli prime minister has been indicted on sweeping corruption charges. Daily Telegraph, 30 August 2009.
 
Israel’s Demi-Greek Tragedy
Ehud Olmert has resigned as prime minister of Israel following corruption allegations. New York Times, September 27, 2008.
 
US businessman says he gave Olmert $150,000 in cash-stuffed envelopes
Morris Talansky, a US businessman at the centre of a high-profile corruption investigation told an Israeli court that he gave thousands of dollars to Israel's prime minister. The Guardian, May 28 2008.
 
Taiwan graft scandal
Taiwanese prosecutors claim to have enough evidence against President Chen Shui-bian to charge him with corruption, but they cannot do so because he is protected by presidential immunity but have filed charges against his wife, Wu Shu-chen. BBC, 3 November 2006.
 
Kenyans want to know why we're feeding corruption
Why are the World Bank and British government conspiring in top-level fraud, spelled out in a whistleblower's dossier? Michela Wrong, the Guardian January 30, 2006.
 
Kenya campaigner "could return"
John Githongo, Kenya's former anti-corruption czar is considering returning home to testify to parliament, nearly a year after fleeing to the UK in fear of his life. BBC 28 January 2006.
 
Q&A: Brazil corruption claims
Mounting claims of corruption within Brazil's ruling Workers Party (PT) are threatening to snowball into an extremely damaging scandal. BBC, 12 July 2005.
 
Asset freeze as Pinochet turns 89
Gen Pinochet is being sued by Chile's authorities for tax fraud and faces a money-laundering inquiry. He also he faces possible charges in connection with Operation Condor - a conspiracy by six South American regimes in the 1970s to hunt down and kill their left-wing opponents. BBC, 25 November, 2004.
 
Pinochet's Daughter Claims Standard Life Connection
The authorities in Chile are investigating alleged ties between Standard Life and Pinochet.
 
Fatah begins hunt for Arafat's missing millions
Fatah, the leading faction of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, has begun a hunt for millions of dollars in assets hidden by Yassir Arafat, its late leader. Financial Times, February 6 2005.
 
Story of Arafat's hidden billions
Yasser Arafat personally controlled billions of dollars with which he ran the Palestinian Authority but no one knows their whereabouts, Palestinian and Israeli officials said. Times of India, November 12, 2004.
 
Revenue Watch
Natural resources, instead of being a blessing for poor countries, have more often contributed to poverty violent conflict, corruption, and repression. Revenue Watch, founded by the Open Society, aims to generate and publicize research, information, and advocacy on how revenues are being invested and disbursed and how governments and extraction companies respond to civic demands for accountability.
 
Chevron to Pay $30 Million to Settle Kickback Charges
Chevron has agreed to pay $30 million to settle charges that it had made illegal kickbacks to Iraq for oil purchased in 2001 and 2002 under the United Nations’ oil-for-food program. New York Times, November 15, 2007.
 
Oil for Food Inquiry
Information from the UN News Centre concerning the investigation by an independent panel of the scandal of the handling by the United Nations of the Iraqi oil for food programme.
 
What Happened to Iraq's Missing $1 Billion?
One billion dollars has been plundered from Iraq's defence ministry in one of the largest thefts in history, leaving the country's army to fight a savage insurgency with museum-piece weapons. CounterPunch, September 20, 2005.
 
Fraud and corruption: the UN and the USA
Forget the UN. The US occupation regime helped itself to $8.8 bn of mostly Iraqi money in just 14 months. George Monbiot, the Guardian, February 8, 2005.
 
Fuelling suspicion: the coalition and Iraq's oil billions
The US-controlled coalition in Baghdad is handing over power to an Iraqi government without having properly accounted for what it has done with some $20 billion of Iraq's own money, says a new report published by Christian Aid. 28 June 2004.
 
Investigate the United Nations Oil-for-Food Fraud
There is mounting evidence that the United Nations Oil-for-Food program, originally conceived as a means of providing humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people, was subverted by Saddam Hussein's regime and manipulated to help prop up the Iraqi dictator. Nile Gardiner and James Phillips, the Heritage Foundation. April 21, 2004.
 
Austria accuses North Korean bank of spying
North Korea's only bank in Europe, the Golden Star Bank in Vienna, is being used as a base for North Korean secret services, according to a report by the Austrian authorities. Daily Telegraph, 23 July 2003.
 
Arafat's Stolen Riches
An audit of the Palestinian Authority revealed that President Yasser Arafat diverted $900 million in public funds to a special bank account he controlled, an International Monetary Fund official said. Front Page Magazine.com, September 23, 2003.
 
Saddam 'took $1bn from bank'
Saddam Hussein ordered his son to take about $1bn in cash from the Iraqi Central Bank just hours before the first bombs fell on Baghdad, the United States has said. BBC, 6 May 2003.
 
Zuma corruption charges dropped
South Africa prosecutors have dropped graft charges against African National Congress (ANC) leader Jacob Zuma. Chief prosecutor Mokotedi Mpshe said phone-tap evidence suggested political interference in the investigation. BBC, 6 April 2009.
 
Winnie Mandela jailed
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the ex-wife of South Africa's former president, has been given a five-year jail term for a string of fraud and theft offences. The Guardian, April 25, 2003.
 
Financial scandal claims hang over leader in waiting
Ahmad Chalabi, the man favoured by the Pentagon to succeed Saddam Hussein was tried in his absence and sentenced by a Jordanian court to 22 years' jail on 31 charges of embezzlement, theft, misuse of depositor funds and currency speculation in connection with the collapse of his Petra Bank. The Guardian, April 14, 2003.
 
Paper apologises to Gaddafi's son
The son of Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi has accepted a public apology from the Sunday Telegraph over an allegation he was involved in a multi-million dollar plot to flood Iraq with fake currency. The Guardian, April 19th, 2002.
 
Terrorism in the USA: Inquiry into short selling before attacks
Stock market regulators in Europe and Japan have launched investigations into "short selling" of the shares of some companies in the days before the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. There has been speculation that associates of the terrorist may have profited from the transactions. Financial Times, 18 September 2001.
 
Crusaders Against Corruption
An article about two heroines, the French judge Eva Joly and the Colombia politician, Ingrid Betancourt, and their fight against corruption in their own countries. By David Ignatius, March 4, 2001.
 
Ex-banker and publisher Koskotas freed after 12 years
Former banker George Koskotas who had been convicted in 1994 of embezzling 33-billion drachmas ($87,8m at today’s rate) from the Bank of Crete, was freed after serving more than half of his 25-year sentence. He was the prosecution’s main witness in the trial of the late prime minister Andreas Papandreou who was cleared of involvement in a scheme to embezzle state funds deposited in the Bank of Crete. Business Day, March 15 2001.
 
Deep Black Lies
David Guyatt's website which contains information based on his book about what happened to the gold plundered during World War II that now forms the basis of the "black" gold market that does not officially exist but which trades spectacular quantities of bullion on a secret and private basis.
 
Milosevic's Secret Overseas Hoard 'worth over £70m'
Slobodan Milosevic was the boss of bosses at the apex of a criminal organisation and has salted away more than $100m (£70m), according to an investigation conducted by the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND). The Independent, 17 October 2000.
 
Nigeria's corruption totals $400 billion
In the four decades since independence from Britain, Nigeria's rulers have rulers stole or misused some $400 billion, equivalent to the total amount of all western aid to Africa in the last 40 years, the chairman of Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission revealed. 25 June 2005.
 
Dictator's cash hidden in UK, says Nigeria
The British government has been accused yesterday of refusing to cooperate with Nigerian authorities in their attempts to recover £307m stolen by the late dictator General Sani Abacha, and believed to be deposited in London banks. The Guardian, January 26, 2001.
 
Swiss Banks Criticised over Nigerian Funds
Switzerland's banking regulator has found serious problems at six Swiss banks that held hundreds of millions of dollars in assets related to the late Nigerian dictator General Sani Abacha who is accused of systematically pillaging the Nigeria's central bank.
 
Fall From Grace - China's once-richest man is sentenced to life in prison
Mou Qizhong, a flamboyant tycoon, has been sentenced to life in prison. Mou had illegally obtained state assets worth $75 million and caused losses of state funds worth $30.06 million, it was reported. Time Asia, May 30, 2000.
 
China Tycoon's Prison Term Upheld
Mou Qizhong lost his appeal against life imprisonment for bank fraud. August 23, 2000.
 
The Bank of China's Black Hole
How $480 million disappeared from one of the country's biggest banks. Wang Xuebing, a former president of the Bank of China, is being investigated in connection with China's missing foreign exchange reserves. Business Week, February 4, 2002.
 
Sharon may face corruption charge
Prosecutors in Israel are considering charging Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his deputy in connection with a bribery scandal. BBC, 21 January, 2004.
 
Corruption Charges Enrage Israel's Sharon
Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, is under police investigation for a $1.5 million loan from a South Africa-based businessman. Find Law, January 10, 2003.
 
Netanyahu Charges Dropped
Corruption charges filed against Israel's former Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, have been dropped because there is insufficient evidence to bring him to court. BBC, 27 September, 2000.
 
The Rise and Fall of Alberto Fujimori
How the man who saved Peru from terrorism and hyperinflation became an exile in Japan after his right hand man was implicated in bribery, drug trafficking, arms dealing and money laundering scandals, and accused of abuses of human rights.
 
Alberto Fujimori - Official Site
The former Peruvian president's trilingual website (in English, Spanish and Japanese) created to defend his reputation.
 
Peru gets most wanted fugitive
Latin America's most wanted fugitive, the former Peruvian spy chief Vladimiro Montesinos, has been arrested in Venezuela and sent back to Peru to face trial.

Before Montesinos was disgraced the involvement of the Peruvian intelligence agency SIN, and its spy chief, in money laundering was the subject of the novel, Into the Fire.

 
The Video that Shocked Peru
After Vladimiro Montesinos, the boss of SIN (Servicio de Inteligencia Nacional) was caught on film offering a bribe to an opposition politician President Fujimori announced his intention to step down next year and to deactivate SIN.
 
Peru: Bush, the Rainforest and a Gas Pipeline to Enrich his Friends
President George Bush is seeking funds for a project that would enrich some of his closest corporate campaign contributors while risking the destruction of rainforest, threatening its indigenous peoples and endangering rare species on the coast.
 
Argentina fails to persuade Swiss in Menem case
Switzerland says Argentina has again failed to provide evidence to support bribery allegations against former president, Carlos Menem. Argentina claims that the former president accepted $10 million from Iran for covering up an alleged Iranian role in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish centre in Buenos Aires.
 
Lawmakers hail arrest in IBM bribe case
The ex-president of Argentina´s largest bank, Aldo Dadone, was arrested on charges of "illicit association" in connection with a high-profile 1993 corruption case involving IBM. Reuters Feb 9, 2001.
 
Swiss Banks Turn Over Millions to Argentina in IBM Bribery Scandal
Swiss banks turned over $4.5 million to Buenos Aires authorities. These funds were traced to accounts held by several local central bank officials who admitted to accepting bribes from IBM-Argentina in 1995 in connection with a $250 million contract awarded to IBM Argentina by the state-owned Banco Nación for a computerized information system.
 
Suspicious death adds to IBM scandal
Marcelo Cattaneo - an entrepreneur involved in the IBM bribe scandal was found hanged. October 1998.
 
The Man from Tabasco: The Story of Carlos Cabal Peniche
The fugitive Mexican banker claims he is being persecuted for political reasons. 17 October 1999.
 
Fugitive: Zedillo Knew I Gave to Campaign
Banker Carlos Cabal Peniche, in prison in Australia, has admitted huge and potentially illegal contributions to the 1994 election campaign of President Ernesto Zedillo. Miami Herald, 9 June 1999.
 
The Octopus: Chiquita against democracy in Honduras and Columbia
Was Chiquita behind the recent coup against Honduran president Manuel Zelaya? More importantly, does the October 29 restoration of the Zelaya government represent a defeat for Chiquita--El pulpo, "the octopus"--a corporation which has done its best to strangle Central American democracy for the past hundred years?
 
Monsanto Accused of Attempt to Bribe Health Canada
Health Canada researchers accuse Monsanto of bribery in bid to get approval for use of bovine growth hormone.
 
Arroyo opponents protest after impeachment fails
Thousands of people took a campaign to oust Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the streets after Congress rejected an attempt to impeach her over election fraud and graft allegations.
Reuters, 6 September 2005.
 
Imelda Admits To Huge Marcos Fortune
A two-part article about the missing billions that the former Philippines president is alleged to have stolen.
 
Estrada denies corruption charge
Former Philippine President Joseph Estrada has denied taking millions of dollars in bribes and gambling pay-offs before he was deposed five years ago. BBC, 22 March 2006.
 
Estrada faces state plunder inquiry
Prosecutors in the Philippines have launched a criminal investigation into the allegations of massive corruption which led to the downfall of President Joseph Estrada. BBC, 22 January 2001.
 
Albania under the Shadow of the Pyramids
An account of the pyramid lending scandal by Carlos Elbirt.
 
Angry crowds take to streets in Albania
Houston Chronicle News Services 26 January 1997. Many Albanians lose their life savings in pyramid lending schemes.
 
World Bank discusses plans to respond to crisis in Albania
The World Bank discussed its plans on 23 April 1997 to respond to the crisis in Albania, triggered by the collapse of the country's pyramid investment schemes.
 
Russian President Reshuffles Top Generals Amid Fraud Investigation
President Vladimir Putin has reshuffled several top generals amid an investigation into alleged fraud at Russia's Defense Ministry. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, November 9, 2012.
 
Russia's Road to Corruption
A large website devoted to arguments that the Clinton government in the US must share the responsibility for the rise in corruption in Russia.
 
High-Level Fraud Prevalent In Russia, Former Soviet Bloc
Askold Krushelnycky looks at some of the biggest money-making schemes devised in the post-Communist countries.
 
Russian Financial Crimes Crisis
Detailed reports on various scandals including money-laundering, insider-trading and political corruption.
 
Russia: Central Bank Under Scrutiny For Hiding Assets
Russia’s Central Bank is under close scrutiny following allegations that it channeled some $50 billion of hard currency reserves to a tiny, offshore company Financial Management Co. (FIMACO) based in Jersey, from 1993 to 1997.
 
Capitalism in the New Russia
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991-1992, and the end of the centrally controlled "command economy," a new class of wealthy private capitalists with close government connections has emerged in Russia. Hence corruption is a growing problem.
 
Russian Mafia: Organized Crime Is Big Business for the KGB
by William F. Jasper. An article in the New American.
 
Russia receives valuables taken away by Golden ADA to US
A series of articles on efforts to combat illegal sales of diamonds, jewellery, gold etc. which have been exported to the US with the alleged involvement of Russian politicians and those close to them .
 
The Looting of Russia
An FBI agent and an honest Moscow cop stop the plundering of the national treasury. More on the smuggling of of diamonds, jewelry, silver, and gold.
 
'Rasputin-like' minister detains four Britons investigating fraud in Brunei
Four Britons helping to investigate the tangled financial affairs of the oil-rich state of Brunei are being held in the country on the orders of a "Rasputin-like" minister. The Independent, 27 May 2002.
 
Brunei's Battle Royal
After Amedeo, a company controlled by Prince Jefri Bolkiah, collapsed blowing a sizeable hole in the national budget, the government of Brunei has been involved in a dispute with the prince. BusinessWeek, April 3 2000.
 
Lenders Halt Indonesia Loans Over Bank Bali Scandal
The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) decided to withhold any new loans to Indonesia until the controversy surrounding $63 million stolen from Bank Bali by Indonesia's economic and political elite was cleared up.
 
Indonesia Court Rules on Bank Case
The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday 19 October 1999 that an independent report about the Bank Bali corruption scandal must be given to Parliament, a move that could persuade international donors to lift their suspension of billions of dollars in loans to Indonesia.
 
Financial Warfare
By Michel Chossudovsky, Professor of Economics, University of Ottawa. The actions of speculators in the foreign exchange market have destabilised national economies, thereby creating the preconditions for the subsequent plunder of the Asian countries' productive assets by so-called "vulture foreign investors."
 
Tehelka Tapes Scandal
A series of articles by the investigative website that exposed corruption in the Indian Ministry of Defence.
 
Diamond necklace exposed Bhutto money-laundering trail
A £117,000 diamond necklace led to the former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto and her husband being convicted of money laundering by a Swiss court. The Guardian, August 8, 2003.
 
Politicians' Bank Accounts Frozen in Start of Corruption Crackdown
Pakistan's state bank moved to freeze the accounts of thousands of politicians, including those of the ousted prime minister and his family. The Guardian, October 16, 1999.
 

Diamond Scandals

Dangerous Diamonds : Scandals Behind the Sparkle of the World's Most Desirable Gems
Diamonds, the most romantic of gems, have been fought over by armies, gangsters, criminals, secret agents of intelligence services, and the world's longest-lived cartel.
 
Fatal Transactions: an investigation into the illicit diamond trade
The Financial Times uncovers the global network of arms traffickers and corrupt governments behind the 'conflict diamond' trade.
 
Glitter and Greed : The Diamond Investigation
An detailed account of the dark side of the diamond industry, including its political influence, by Janine Farrell-Roberts.
For a treatment of the relationships between the diamond industry, arms dealing and finance in fiction see Wilderness of Mirrors.
 
Al Qaeda Cash Tied to Diamond Trade
The terrorist network led by Osama bin Laden has reaped millions of dollars in the past three years from the illicit sale of diamonds mined by rebels in Sierra Leone. The Washington Post, November 1, 2001.
 

International Sporting Organisations

Timeline: Olympics corruption scandal
A chronology of alleged corruption in both the winter and summer olympics. The BBC, March 15, 1999.
 
Big business demands a corporate Olympics
As the IOC changed from being a small, nominally non-profit organisation, into a multi-million dollar enterprise the dangers of corruption have increased.
 
Blatter faces revolt over FIFA's major money crisis
The £278 million collapse of International Sport and Leisure, FIFA's marketing partner, represented a massive shock for Blatter and he has been fighting a desperate campaign to prevent the full facts from emerging. 1 March 2002.
 
Indicted Blatter crony to audit Fifa finances 
One of the key men appointed to audit Fifa's finances is under investigation in Brazil for corruption and embezzlement. The Guardian, March 12, 2002.
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Roy Davies - last updated 23 March 2013.