Cheshire manufacturer faces bribery charges
A CHESHIRE chemicals manufacturer has been accused of paying bribes “on a significant scale” to government officials in Indonesia.
Innospec Ltd, which makes fuel additives at its factory in Ellesmere Port, appeared at the City of Westminster Magistrates Court to face charges of conspiracy to corrupt.
The company, a subsidiary of the Nasdaq-listed Innospec Inc, was summoned to court following an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
It alleges that between February 2002 and December 2006 Innospec, “conspired with certain of its directors, executives, employees and agents to give or agree to give corrupt payments to public officials and other agents of the Government of Indonesia” to secure contracts for the supply of tetraethyl lead (TEL), an anti-knock fuel additive.
The SFO said the case concerned bribery on a “significant scale” by Innospec and its agents in Indonesia.
The case was transferred to Southwark Crown Court where Innospec Ltd will appear on March 4 when more details of the alleged offences will be given.
The investigation was launched in May 2008 and is being conducted by the SFO with assistance from Cheshire police.
