Former Innospec executive pleads guilty to Iraq corruption

19 January 2012

Company director charged on counts of conspiracy to corrupt

A former global sales and marketing director at US’ chemicals firm Innospec has pleaded guilty to three counts of corruption in Iraq.

David Turner was charged with conspiracy to corrupt, including making corrupt payments to Iraqi officials, according to the UK’s Serious Fraud Office.

Turner appeared before the Southwark Crown Court in London on 17 January.

The first two counts involved a conspiracy to give corrupt payments to public officials and other agents of the Government of Indonesia between 2002 and 2008, as well as the Government of Iraq between 2003 and 2008 as inducements to secure, or as rewards for having secured, contracts for Innospec  for the supply of its products including tetraethyl lead.

Turner also pleaded guilty on the charge of conspiracy to corrupt Iraqi public officials between 2006 and 2007 by making payments as inducements to ensure unfavourable test results on a competitor product manufactured by US’ Ethyl Corporation.

Sentencing was adjourned. Two other Innospec executives, Dennis Kerrison and Paul Jennings, will plea on 4 April.

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