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AgustaWestland CEOs Arrested on Bribery Charges

By Stephen Pope / Published: Feb 14, 2013
Related Tags: News, AgustaWestland
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AgustaWestland Orsi

Former Agusta CEO Giuseppe Orsi

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Italian police arrested the current and former CEOs of helicopter maker AgustaWestland on Tuesday, charging both men with bribery stemming from an Indian helicopter contract.
 
Giuseppe Orsi, the chairman and CEO of Finmeccanica and former CEO of AgustaWestland, was taken into custody by police while current AgustaWestland CEO Bruno Spagnolini has reportedly been placed under house arrest.
 
The case under investigation involves the sale of 12 AW101 helicopters to the Indian Air Force for VIP transportation. The contract, valued at around $750 million, includes five years of logistics support and initial crew and technician training.
 
AgustaWestland has delivered three of the helicopters with the full order expected to be completed by the end of the year.
 
A statement issued by AgustaWestland owner Finmeccanica said the company “expresses support for its chairman and CEO, with the hope that clarity is established quickly.”
 
The bribery investigation has been ongoing since last summer.

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F16jetJock's picture
Submitted by F16jetJock on February 14, 2013.

In most every nation except the USA, bribery is an accepted means of transacting commercial business. Unfortunately, the article fails to state what nation's business laws were allegedly violated.

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WG's picture
Submitted by WG on February 14, 2013.

Hahaha!!! Ohhh that's a good one: "In most every nation EXCEPT THE USA,..." The best joke of the day! Thank you F16jetJock.

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DigDug's picture
Submitted by DigDug on February 15, 2013.

Italy is cracking down on bribery. Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was charged with taking bribes. He is actually defending Orsi and AgustaWestland, saying bribes are "necessary situations when negotiating with third world countries." But considering these CEOs were arrested and charged in Italy, I'm not sure bribes there are an "accepted means" any longer.

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walter's picture
Submitted by walter on February 15, 2013.

Now if we could just throw some politicians and bankers in jail next we would be on our way to cleaning up the system.

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