ID :
101538
Thu, 01/21/2010 - 12:40
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http://m.oananews.org//node/101538
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Anti-graft agency proceeding with ex-TAT governor's bribery case: DSI
BANGKOK, Jan 21 (TNA, AP) - Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on Thursday said the National Counter-Corruption Commission (NACC) will decide on how to proceed with the bribery case of the former governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) following the US court indictment on bribery charges.
DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit commented as a Los Angeles court on Tuesday charged ex-TAT governor Juthama Siriwan and her daughter Jittisopa Siriwan for receiving $1.8 million in bribes from film producers Gerald and Patricia Green between 2002 and 2007 in an exchange for running the Bangkok International Film Festival and other tourism-related deals.
Mr. Green, 78, and his wife, 55, were arrested and convicted of involvement in an overseas corruption scam. Both were scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday.
The Associated Press quoted the US federal prosecutors as saying that Mrs Juthamas and her daughter were charged with conspiracy and eight other counts. Both can face up to 20 years jail term if convicted.
The US prosecutors also said the bribes Mrs Juthamas accepted were given both in form of cash and disguised as sales commissions of between 10 and 20 per cent, according to the report.
Prosecutors added that Juthamas and Jittisopa opened bank accounts in Singapore and the United Kingdom to receive the corrupt payments.
Mr Tharit said the DSI investigated the case, then forwarded evidence and documents related to the case to the NACC as the accusations were made at a time when Mrs Juthamas still served as a Thai state official.
The DSI chief the NACC must consider how to proceed with the case.
Col Piyawat Kingkate, who headed the investigation team probing Mrs Juthamas case in 2007, said the DSI coordinated with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in collecting the evidence.
In its investigation, Col Piyawat said, the DSI concluded that two offences were committed: bid rigging and the malfeasance of state official.
In consequence the department forwarded the case to the NACC in 2008 and the anti-graft commission appointed Commissioner Methee Krongkaew chairman of a committee investigating the alleged bribery scam involving the Bangkok Film Festival. (TNA)
DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit commented as a Los Angeles court on Tuesday charged ex-TAT governor Juthama Siriwan and her daughter Jittisopa Siriwan for receiving $1.8 million in bribes from film producers Gerald and Patricia Green between 2002 and 2007 in an exchange for running the Bangkok International Film Festival and other tourism-related deals.
Mr. Green, 78, and his wife, 55, were arrested and convicted of involvement in an overseas corruption scam. Both were scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday.
The Associated Press quoted the US federal prosecutors as saying that Mrs Juthamas and her daughter were charged with conspiracy and eight other counts. Both can face up to 20 years jail term if convicted.
The US prosecutors also said the bribes Mrs Juthamas accepted were given both in form of cash and disguised as sales commissions of between 10 and 20 per cent, according to the report.
Prosecutors added that Juthamas and Jittisopa opened bank accounts in Singapore and the United Kingdom to receive the corrupt payments.
Mr Tharit said the DSI investigated the case, then forwarded evidence and documents related to the case to the NACC as the accusations were made at a time when Mrs Juthamas still served as a Thai state official.
The DSI chief the NACC must consider how to proceed with the case.
Col Piyawat Kingkate, who headed the investigation team probing Mrs Juthamas case in 2007, said the DSI coordinated with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in collecting the evidence.
In its investigation, Col Piyawat said, the DSI concluded that two offences were committed: bid rigging and the malfeasance of state official.
In consequence the department forwarded the case to the NACC in 2008 and the anti-graft commission appointed Commissioner Methee Krongkaew chairman of a committee investigating the alleged bribery scam involving the Bangkok Film Festival. (TNA)
