Daily Corruption News: 24 September 2012

Vietnam: Vietnam convicts 3 bloggers for criticizing government; sentences range from 4 to 12 years
The Associated Press

A Vietnamese court issued jail sentences ranging from four to 12 years on Monday to three bloggers who wrote about human rights abuses, corruption and foreign policy, intensifying a crackdown on citizens’ use of the Internet to criticize the government.

Daily Corruption News: 21 September 2012

USA: 4 years out of office, Detroit ex-Mayor Kilpatrick faces trial on sweeping corruption charges
The Associated Press

As Detroit residents fled one of the nation’s most-distressed cities in waves, then-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick enriched himself and his allies by rigging public contracts, shaking down businessmen and pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars, the government alleges.

Daily Corruption News: 20 September 2012

Greece: Greek police investigate 32 politicians for corruption
Reuters

Greek police suspect 32 politicians of having acquired ill-gotten wealth, the finance ministry said on Thursday, adding fuel to popular frustration with the country's rulers as they discuss a new round of austerity with international lenders.

Daily Corruption News: 19 September 2012

Afghanistan: Afghanistan’s Karzai targets governors in anti-graft fight
Reuters

President Hamid Karzai is considering sacking or moving the governors of a fifth of Afghanistan's 34 provinces as part of a shakeout of corrupt or underperforming officials aimed in part at soothing foreign donors.

Daily Corruption News: 18 September 2012

Global: EU politicians vote for tough oil, gas anti-corruption law
Reuters (TI mention)

European Union legislators have voted for a draft anti-corruption law, echoing rigorous U.S. rules to make oil, gas and mining firms declare payments they make in resource-rich nations.

Daily Corruption News: 17 September 2012

Global: Ex-Elf chief extradited to Togo over fraud probe
Agence France-Presse

The former head of French oil giant Elf, Loik Le Floch-Prigent, is due to appear in a Togolese court Monday after being extradited in a fraud probe, a move condemned by his lawyer.

Daily Corruption News: 14 September 2012

Thailand: Thai FA investigated, face possible disbandment
Reuters

Thailand’s Football Association could be forced to disband following allegations of corruption, a government spokesperson investigating the association said on Friday.

Daily Corruption News: 13 September 2012

Nigeria: Nigeria’s Okonjo Iweala seeks reform without the godfathers
Reuters

Western nations and international agencies admire the reform efforts of Nigeria's new finance minister. But Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala faces daunting challenges in cleaning up embedded corruption.

Daily Corruption News: 12 September 2012

Global: Whistleblower gets $104 million
Wall Street Journal

 A former UBS AG banker who helped the U.S. government unleash an international crackdown on tax evasion was awarded $104 million in what is believed to be the largest-ever whistleblower payout to an individual.

Daily Corruption News: 11 September 2012

Global: Small Indiana pension fund takes on big fight with Walmart
Indy Star

If Wal-Mart shareholders are successful in suing the retail giant over allegations regarding a suspected bribery scheme in Mexico, it will likely be thanks to a relatively small union pension fund in Indiana.