Firms accused of bribing Saddam investigated by fraud office

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,2012485,00.html ^

[Muentzer2005]

The Serious Fraud Office has launched an investigation into allegations that a number of major UK-based firms paid bribes to Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. The firms being targeted include the drug giants GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly. The international oil traders and UK bridge-builders Mabey and Johnson are also to be investigated.

They are on a long list of international companies accused in a UN report of paying kickbacks under the discredited oil-for-food sanctions regime, which enabled Saddam to illicitly amass an estimated $1.8bn. Ministers have agreed to fund the investigation with £22m over three years.

[Calpernia]

OIl for Food ping

[Calpernia]

bttt

[NutCrackerBoy]

The Serious Fraud Office has launched an investigation into allegations that a number of major UK-based firms paid bribes to Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. -David Leigh and Rob Evans, The Guardian

This is unusual. The Guardian usually deals with The Silly Fraud Office.

[decal]

"The Serious Fraud Office has launched an investigation..."

Is there a Not-Quite-So-Serious Fraud Office, as is implied?

[Muentzer2005]

"Is there a Not-Quite-So-Serious Fraud Office, as is implied?"

I Guess ...