Another big corruption case is rocking Europe. In Portugal, former prime minister Jose Sócrates has been charged in a wide-ranging scandal that involves alleged bribes, money laundering, falsifying documents and tax frauds.
As reported in the Financial Times, Sócrates faces 31 criminal counts and is just one among a group of 19 individuals suspected of corruption in a case that has been ongoing for more than three years. In fact, on the whole it is the largest corruption case in Portugal’s history.
As reported in the Financial Times:
State prosecutors allege that €24m was channelled into Swiss bank accounts between 2006 and 2009 with a view to making illicit payments to Mr Sócrates or his associates on behalf of companies or individuals who obtained “commercial benefits” from decisions made by the former prime minister.
Investigators said they had questioned more than 200 witnesses, searched about 200 premises and examined 500 bank accounts before bringing charges. Information from Swiss banking authorities and the leaked Panama Papers are also understood to have played a significant role in the investigations, according to analysts.
The case is just another disturbing reminder of the rampant and widespread abuses that happen worldwide among different levels of politics and influence. That’s why CRI Certification offers expert training, resources and best practices on how to counter corruption and bribery on every level. After all, such risks can lead to damage to brand and reputation, not to mention financial harm and possible legal repercussions.
CRI Group’s experts are trained in regulatory issues and can grade your organisation’s level of compliance with the FCPA, the UK Bribery Act and other anti-corruption legislation.
Our ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management System Certification will help your company, organisation or department to reduce risk of bribery and corruption by establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving your management system which shall:
- Give your company the tools it needs to prevent bribery and mitigate related risks
- Help your company create new and better business partnerships with entities that recognise your certified status, including supply chain manufacturing, joint ventures, pending acquisitions and co-marketing alliances
- Potentially reduce corporate insurance premiums
- Provide your customers, stakeholders, employees and partners with confidence in your business operations and ethics
- Provide a competitive edge over non-certified organisations in your industry or niche
- Provide acceptable evidence to prosecutors or courts that the organisation has taken reasonable steps to prevent bribery and corruption
To learn more about enrolling your organisation in ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management System Certification, and how your company can be protected from risks of bribery and corruption, visit ABAC Cerification.com.
Who is CRI Group?
Based in London, CRI Group works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence, Compliance Solutions and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background-screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.
In 2016, CRI Group launched Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC®) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body established for ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems, ISO 19600:2014 Compliance Management Systems and ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management, providing training and certification. ABAC® operates through its global network of certified ethics and compliance professionals, qualified auditors and other certified professionals. As a result, CRI Group’s global team of certified fraud examiners work as a discreet white-labelled supplier to some of the world’s largest organisations. Contact ABAC® for more on ISO Certification and training.
Omoye Osebor is the Business Development Executive and Investigative Analyst for CRI Group and its subsidiary ABAC®. Working with a range of industries and organisations, she is focused on providing an unparalleled high service level, developing quality solutions, driving service improvement, innovation and value in order to continuously exceed client expectations. Day to day she supports fundamental operations encompassing client service and client relationship building. She is knowledgeable in risk, compliance, anti-bribery and corruption solutions to clients and industry professionals.
Ashelea is the head of the Investigations team in Dubai, leading the due diligence, background screening and corporate investigations for multinational clients across a variety of key industry sectors: public relations and advertising agencies of global brands, international law firms, aerospace and defense, nuclear and energy companies.
Raheel is Assistant Manager of the Investigations team in Islamabad, specifically leading the due diligence sector of investigation department, he is also working in background screening, corporate and individual investigations for multinational and national clients across a variety of key industry sectors: Oil and energy, Media, NGO’s, Engineering, Construction, Aerospace and Services providing companies.
Corporate Research and Investigations Limited is an approved supplier to the Oman Oil and Gas Industry’s Joint Supplier Registration System.
Certification for ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Management (ISMS) helps to manage and protect the information assets so that they remain safe and secure
Certification for ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Management (ISMS) helps to manage and protect the information assets so that they remain safe and secure.
CRI Group has been granted accreditation by the Dubai Accreditation Department (DAC) for the scope of ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management System Conformity Assessment Body.