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Alleged Shell Irish Bribes Scandal
“…Shell funded alcohol was allegedly distributed to the Police, a gift not conducive to the well-being, safety and demeanor of police officers. The booze was allegedly delivered to senior on duty officers, with delivery being made at Police premises in one instance.”: “Some of the wording on the purported invoice seems strangely reminiscent of the prohibition era in the USA. Somebody trying to conceal the illicit transportation of alcohol.”
EMAIL DATED 15 April 2013 FROM JOHN DONOVAN TO LINDA SZYMANSKI, ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC CHIEF ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER.
Dear Linda Szymanski
I sent emails to you on 28 March 2013 and 29 March 2013 (also copied to Michiel Brandjes) concerning allegations made by a former Shell supplier OSSL, that Shell E&P Ireland has engaged in widespread corruption of the Irish Police force. According to OSSL and the related purported invoice dated 28 August 2012, Shell funded alcohol was allegedly distributed to the Police, a gift not conducive to the well-being, safety and demeanor of police officers. The booze was allegedly delivered to senior on duty officers, with delivery being made at Police premises in one instance.
Some of the wording on the purported invoice seems strangely reminiscent of the prohibition era in the USA. Somebody trying to conceal the illicit transportation of alcohol.
EARLIER EMAILS
I first notified Mr Brandjes of these allegations on 10 September 2012 (also copied to Brian Foley at Shell E&P Ireland).
I sent a related email on 18 September 2012 to Julia Busby, head of Shell Legal, Shell E&P Ireland (also copied to Michiel Brandjes and Royal Dutch Shell PLC Chief Executive Peter Voser).
On 11 November 2012, I sent an email to Michiel Brandjes headed: ” SHELL ALCOHOL FOR CORRIB POLICEMEN”
I have also published and supplied to Shell, numerous related emails allegedly sent to Shell by OSSL.
Neither you or any of your colleagues have replied to any of my emails on this subject.
Mr Brandjes did send me a copy of an email he sent to former Shell official Mr. Bill Campbell on another matter (the screw-up in the Arctic).
But this subject remains absolutely taboo.
The same deafening silence seems to apply to police officers identified on the purported invoice dated 28 August 2012.
No accusations that the invoice is not authentic and the allegations false. No threats of litigation. No denials. Nothing.
When the stakes are so high – an alleged corruption scandal involving hundreds of Irish police officers – how long can that situation hold?
It is alleged by OSSL that there are other beneficiaries of Shell’s generosity.
How will it reflect on you Linda, bearing in mind your job title, if you fail to act?
Yours sincerely
John Donovan
PS. As you are probably aware, I have brought this matter to the attention of the Irish Justice Minister Alan Shatter TD. I did at least receive the courtesy of an acknowledgement.
COMMENT POSTED ON SHELL BLOG BY “GEORGE HAMILTON”
Police alcohol . John you will hear no denials because the details you have are exactly correct the garda locally and nationally are disgusted by Shells handling of this matter they feel for the people caught in the middle but can’t afford to speak
COMMENT FROM A SHELL RELATED SOURCE
John
I don’t have any particular knowledge in the area, but it would seem to me that the UK Bribery Act, and the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Dodd-Frank amendment (FCPA) would apply to the Irish saga.
In both cases there are channels through which whistle blower reports can be submitted. In the case of the FCPA the rewards for whistleblowers are very large.
There is a five year statute of limitations: perhaps Shell is relying on this to save them?
Mystery surrounding OSSL alleged Shell Corruption Scandal
Mystery surrounding OSSL alleged Shell Corruption Scandal
By John Donovan
We have received a copy of an email allegedly sent today to Brian Foley, who according to OSSL, has been the senior Shell contracts manager on the Corrib Gas project for the last ten years. The email was also allegedly copied to Royal Dutch Shell Plc CEO Peter Voser and Michael Crothers, the CEO of Shell E&P Ireland.
The email repeats the claim that Shell sent Corrib auditors KPMG to OSSL offices warning “about imprisonment if we disclosed the police alcohol matter.”
OSSL alleges that it played a “Mr Fixit” role for Shell distributing gifts/bribes to ease the progress of the controversial Corrib Gas Project.
I have republished below a related purported OSSL invoice that we first published on 28 March 2013.
If any of the various parties named on the purported invoice, including senior Irish police officers, are prepared to go on the record stating that the invoice is fake, we will publish that information and cease covering this story until an investigation has taken place.
OSSL alleges that hundreds of Irish police officers were the beneficiaries of Shell’s alleged corruption – a generous supply of free alcohol.
Environmental campaigners who have protested against the Corrib project have long alleged that the Irish police have acted as an off-shoot of Shell security.
HENCE THE OSSL ALLEGATIONS ARE VERY SERIOUS.
The Irish government is aware of this alleged scandal. The Irish police is aware of the allegations. Many Shell employees, managers, officials and executive directors are said to be involved in or have knowledge of the alleged scandal and/or associated alleged cover-up. KPMG must be aware of their alleged role.
I am not aware of any denial issued by any of these parties regarding the authenticity of the alcohol invoice.
How hard can it be to establish whether the all-important invoice displayed below is a fake or authentic?
