Report: Several Ex Keppel Executives Arrested amid Bribery Scandal

Singaporean authorities have arrested several former executives of Keppel Corp amid the investigation into the bribery case involving Keppel Offshore & Marine (KOM), The Straits Times reported.

According to the report, Kim Hock, former president and CEO of Keppel Fels Brasil, part of KOM, has been arrested but released on bail.

In addition, more than five other executives involved in the bribery case are reportedly out on bail.

The country’s authorities called the former executives to assist with investigations into the corrupt payments. Some of them appointed lawyers to represent them after giving statements to Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), according to The Straits Times.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) will now decide whether to file charges.

“We are unable to comment on any investigations by the authorities,” a KOM spokesperson told World Maritime News.

In December 2017, KOM agreed to pay a penalty of more than USD 422 million to resolve bribery charges with authorities in the United States, Brazil and Singapore.

The agreements are related to corrupt payments made by Skornicki regarding several KOM projects in Brazil, which were made with the knowledge or approval of former KOM executives.

Under the agreements, KOM accepted a conditional warning from CPIB and entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the US Department of Justice (DOJ).

Moreover, Keppel FELS Brasil reached a leniency agreement with the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Brazil.

In addition, Keppel Offshore and Marine USA (KOM USA), also a subsidiary of KOM, pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea agreement with the DOJ.

World Maritime News Staff