June 04, 2014 - 12:08 PM
OTTAWA - The RCMP has charged three foreign nationals following an investigation into allegations of bribery involving a contract with Air India.
Canada-wide warrants have been issued for Americans Robert Barra and Dario Bernini and British national Shailesh Govindia, all of whom face charges under the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act.
Govindia was also charged with one count of fraud.
Berini is a former chief executive officer of Cryptometrics Canada Inc., while Berini is former chief operating officer of the firm. Govindia is a one-time agent for the company.
In 2006, Cryptometrics tendered a contract with Air India for a biometric passenger security system valued at approximately US$100 million.
The RCMP says evidence gathered and later presented at trial revealed an agreement by Nazir Karigar, an agent working for Cryptometrics, to pay millions of dollars in bribes to Indian public officials for the purpose of securing a contract with the airline.
The initial investigation led to conviction of Karigar, who was recently sentenced to three years in prison.
"We have a mandate to investigate domestic and international allegations of corruption of foreign public officials," said RCMP assistant commissioner Gilles Michaud, commanding officer of the police force's national division.
"This investigation demonstrates the RCMP's commitment to combating international corruption. Leaving these crimes unchallenged can jeopardize Canada's reputation as a fair and transparent society."
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News from © The Canadian Press, 2014