Saturday, July 16, 2011

Mohamed bin Hammam refused to co-operate with bribery investigation

Mohamed bin Hammam Mohamed bin Hammam withheld bank records from investigators looking into claims of bribery against him. Photograph: Francois Mori/AP

The former Fifa presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam refused to co-operate with the investigation into bribery allegations, according to the report compiled for the Fifa ethics committee that will this week decide his fate.

Seven associations from the Caribbean Football Union have told investigators they were offered or accepted cash gifts of $40,000 in a room in the Hyatt Regency hotel on 10 May after Bin Hammam had made a presentation about his campaign to be Fifa president.

Acccording to the report, compiled by the company owned by the former FBI director Louis Freeh, while there is "no direct evidence" linking Bin Hammam to the payment of bribes there is "compelling circumstantial evidence" that he was the source of the money.

Bin Hammam, a Fifa executive committee member and president of the Asian Football Confederation, has been suspended since 29 May on charges of bribery. He has denied any wrongdoing and promised to co-operate with the Fifa ethics committee hearing that begins in Zurich on Thursday.

The report, which will form the basis of the case against Bin Hammam, says that while Bin Hammam provided "some documents" he "refused to provide his banking records for review and said that requested telephone records do not exist".

It adds: "The lone banking record provided was proof of a wire transfer from Mr Bin Hammam to the CFU on 28 April, 2011, in the amount of $363,557.98." That sum was to cover the cost of the CFU delegates' travel and accommodation to a special meeting in Trinidad, which Bin Hammam had supposedly agreed to pay. Twelve of the 25 CFU members present have refused to co-operate with the investigation and could face charges from the ethics committee.

According to the Press Association, the Freeh report says witnesses stated Warner told the 25 CFU associations on 11 May that Bin Hammam had provided the cash gifts. "Several witnesses advised that Mr Warner stated that the cash had originated with Mr Bin Hammam and the cash was given to them at Mr Warner's suggestion, instead of a more formal gift, such as silver or a plate," says the report.

It continues: "There is no direct evidence linking Mr Bin Hammam to the offer or payment of money to the attendees of the Trinidad and Tobago meeting.

"However, there is compelling circumstantial evidence, including statements attributed to Mr Warner, to suggest that the money did originate with Mr Bin Hammam and was distributed by Mr Warner's subordinates as a means of demonstrating Mr Warner's largesse. Indeed, the funds were offered to attendees shortly after Mr Bin Hammam's campaign speech."

Bin Hammam, who has hit out at the "continuous leak of confidential information" and complained of bias, is expected to argue that some of those who claim to have been offered money did not have a vote in the presidential election. He will also argue that the evidence shows he was not present when the money was handed over and stress that Warner has not claimed it was from him.

The report also raises new questions about the role of Jack Warner, the controversial former Fifa vice president who resigned last month and prompted Fifa to say all investigations into his part in the alleged bribery were being dropped.

Simpaul Travel, a travel agency connected to the Warner family, was used to provide the transport and accommodation for the CFU delegates.

"The involvement of Simpaul Travel in the logistics of the Trinidad and Tobago conference raises the issue of whether Mr Warner may have been the beneficiary of related parties' transactions," says the report.

ends


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