Switzerland’s attorney general has widened its investigation into the activities of a former employee at commodity trader Gunvor accused of bribery, money laundering and embezzlement in Africa.
Gunvor said the Swiss authorities were examining if possible organisation shortcomings could have been exploited by the ex-employee to perpetrate alleged bribery of officials in Congo Brazzaville.
“Such acts by the ex-employee were unknown to Gunvor, which continues to fully cooperate with the MPC [office of the Attorney General],” the company said in a statement.
The case dates back to 2012 when Switzerland, a leading hub for the commodities industry, launched an investigation into a suspected money-laundering operation. This involved a Gunvor trader and was connected to loan-for-oil deal between the company and Congo Brazzaville.
The inquiry then took an unexpected twist when Gunvor filed a criminal complaint against its former employee. This was accepted by the MPC, which went on to file charges of fraud, embezzlement and money laundering against the trader. The case continues.
Gunvor said on Monday it had dismissed a second employee for “inappropriate, independent activities related to Congo Brazzaville”.
It said: “Upon learning of a videotape that highlights alleged misconduct by this employee, Gunvor immediately reported the matter to the MPC and conducted an internal investigation. The ex-employee has confirmed to the MPC that he acted on his own accord, independent of the company. He also claims the videotape to be entrapment. No transactions occurred in relation to the matter, and no business ever has been conducted with any involved parties.”
To prevent further “unwanted, independent behaviour” Gunvor said it had taken decisive action to establish a “world class compliance department” and a “compliance culture” within the company, which is controlled by Swedish billionaire Torbjorn Tornqvist.
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