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SFO publishes Amec Foster Wheeler Energy DPA

SFO has published the DPA judgment from Lord Justice Edis in respect of Amec Foster Wheeler Energy.  The firm is now owned by John Wood Group which was willing to undertake to meet the firm’s liabilities.  SFO’s investigations related to 10 counts of offending, both before and after the Bribery Act came into force, spanning 18 years and several jurisdictions. In the most recent offending, the investigation started before Wood took control and continued afterwards.  Both the firm and Wood co-operated with SFO and overseas investigators. The judge said that while some of the behaviour was extremely serious with one particularly serious aggravating feature, and involved senior personnel, that did not mean a DPA could not be granted in relation to the firm.  He said, though, that this is mainly because of the takeovers that occurred after the offending and the cooperation of the new owners.  He stated categorically that he would not have approved a DPA if any of the individuals responsible had any continuing connection with or interest in the company.

Emma Radmore