A MODERNIST farmhouse in a Somerset village might seem a long way from a multi-million pound, international bribery investigation involving a global tech firm.
But a property in Blackford is understood to be among five raided by dozens of Serious Fraud Officer (SFO) staff last month, though no full addresses involved have been confirmed.
In total, the SFO said it searched five properties – including one in Somerset – and made three arrests as part of an investigation of UK firm Blu-3 and former associates of global construction firm, Mace Group.
As part of the operation, on April 30, searches were conducted by Monaco authorities with assistance from the SFO.
The SFO said individuals at Blu-3 are suspected of paying more than £3 million in bribes to former associates of Mace Group in relation to the construction of a data centre in the Netherlands for technology giant, Microsoft.
More than 70 SFO staff searched four homes and one commercial property across London, Kent, Surrey and Somerset, with three individuals “arrested for questioning”.
READ MORE: Business news from your Somerset Leveller
Solicitor General, MP Lucy Rigby KC, attended an arrest in North London.
The operation and investigation is supported by the National Crime Agency (NCA), the SFO said.
Nick Ephgrave QPM, director of the SFO, added: “Paying bribes to do business undermines our financial markets, the reputation of British companies and the rule of law and will not be tolerated.
“(The) action is a reminder that we will take rapid and robust action to tackle suspected bribery and corruption wherever it appears – at home and overseas.”
And Solicitor General Rigby said: “Bribery undermines the values of fairness and playing by the rules, and hurts individuals, businesses, and our wider economy.
“As part of our Plan for Change, this Government is committed to tackling all forms of bribery to protect working people and ensure criminals are brought to justice.”
