Probe International

(October 28, 2002) Maseru, the sleepy capital of an African mountain kingdom, seems an unlikely theatre for an unfolding bribery scandal involving Western multinationals —among them Canada’s Acres International Ltd.— that has rocked the global construction industry, reports the Globe and Mail (Canada). The Oakville, Ontario-based engineering firm, convicted last month of bribing the former head of one of Africa’s biggest water projects in return for contracts worth $21 million, was in Lesotho High Court on Monday for sentencing.

(October 28, 2002) "There is a total absence of remorse. All that Acres appears to regret was that it was caught," said Judge Mahapela Lehohla.

(October 28, 2002) Acres International, was fined R22.5-million in the Lesotho High Court today for bribery linked to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project that supplies water to South Africa.

(October 28, 2002) Acres International said that it was disturbed and dismayed by the Lesotho trial judge’s sentence as it was by his earlier unjustified decision. Acres said it would continue its preparation to appeal the decision and the sentence.

(October 28, 2002) Engineering company maintains innocence, plans to appeal Lesotho verdict.

(October 28, 2002) Acres International Ltd. said Monday it was "disturbed and dismayed" by a $2.2-million (U.S.) fine levelled by a Lesotho trial judge following a bribery conviction in a major African water project and vowed to appeal both the court’s verdict and sentence.