Russian authorities have detained a third suspect in a high-profile bribery case involving Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov. The case has garnered attention due to Ivanov’s role in overseeing military construction projects and previous accusations of lavish spending. The arrests raise questions about corruption within the Russian military amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
A third businessman, Alexander Fomin, has been arrested in a bribery case involving Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov and his associate, Sergei Borodin. The men are accused of receiving a ‘particularly large bribe’ related to Defense Ministry contracts. Ivanov, who oversaw military construction projects and was sanctioned by the US and EU, maintains his innocence. Despite rumors of treason charges, the Kremlin insists Ivanov faces only bribery allegations. The arrests come amid anti-corruption efforts and as the war in Ukraine continues.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is stepping back from public duties to contemplate his resignation after a Spanish court launched a preliminary corruption investigation into his wife’s business dealings. The investigation involves allegations of influence peddling against Begoña Gómez, Sanchez’s wife, who is accused of receiving benefits from Air Europa, a Spanish airline. Sanchez has denied the allegations and vowed cooperation with the investigation to prove his wife’s innocence. The scandal has sparked outrage within opposition parties, who accuse Sanchez of neglecting his responsibilities. Sanchez came to power in 2018 after a no-confidence vote against Mariano Rajoy and formed a controversial coalition government with smaller regional parties that included an amnesty for Catalans involved in the 2017 independence bid.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said he will consider resigning after a judicial investigation was launched into accusations that his wife, Begona Gomez, used her position to influence business deals. The allegations, made by a right-wing legal platform, have been denied by Sanchez, who said he is canceling his public agenda until Monday to announce his decision on whether to continue or step down. Sanchez, 52, has been Spain’s prime minister since 2018 and recently formed a new left-wing coalition government in November. The probe follows a complaint filed by Manos Limpias, a private group that primarily pursues legal cases for right-wing causes. The court did not provide further information and said that the probe was under seal. Justice Minister Félix Bolaños and Second Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz have publicly backed Sanchez. The allegations have been spread by online news sites aligned with the conservative Popular Party and the far-right Vox party. Sanchez accused the opposition of spreading “spurious” allegations that led to the judicial investigation. He said he was motivated to reflect on his future due to his love for his wife, who he said is “living with the feeling of impotence while being pelted with mud.”
Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister, Timur Ivanov, was apprehended on Tuesday on bribery allegations. Analysts believe this arrest may serve as a cautionary message from President Vladimir Putin to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The Kremlin maintains that the arrest is unrelated to treason, but skeptics question the official narrative. The arrest raises concerns about Shoigu’s power and the possibility of further action against him, as he has faced criticism for Russia’s military setbacks in Ukraine. The incident also highlights the strategic use of corruption charges within the regime, as it can cultivate loyalty and dependence, while also providing a pretext to undermine political opponents.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is considering resigning after a judicial investigation was launched into corruption allegations against his wife. The allegations, which have been denied by Sanchez, have been made by a right-wing legal platform that claims his wife used her position to influence business deals. Sanchez has canceled his public agenda until Monday when he will announce whether he will continue or step down. The investigation comes just weeks before important regional elections in Catalonia, followed by European elections in June.
A $200 million public-private fund in New York, intended to support cannabis dispensaries run by those impacted by the war on drugs, is facing scrutiny after an investigation revealed a lopsided deal favoring the private equity firm Chicago Atlantic. The investigation raises concerns about the state’s social equity goals, with critics deeming the deal detrimental to the state and prospective dispensary owners.
Former SNC-Lavalin vice-president Normand Morin has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for his role in a bribery scheme related to the repair of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge in Montreal. The police investigation revealed that SNC-Lavalin executives paid bribes of $2.23 million to secure a $128-million contract in the early 2000s. In a related case, former CEO of the Federal Bridge Corporation Michel Fournier previously received a sentence of five-and-a-half years for accepting bribes through Swiss bank accounts. SNC-Lavalin, now known as AtkinsRealis, agreed to pay Quebec nearly $30 million in 2022 to settle criminal bribery charges stemming from the bridge project.
Normand Morin, a former senior vice-president at engineering firm SNC-Lavalin, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for his involvement in a bribery scheme related to a bridge repair contract in Montreal. The investigation revealed that SNC-Lavalin executives paid bribes of $2.23 million to secure a $128 million contract to repair the Jacques-Cartier Bridge deck in the early 2000s. Morin’s conviction and sentence follow the earlier admission of guilt and sentencing of Michel Fournier, former CEO of the Federal Bridge Corp., who received a 5.5-year prison sentence for accepting bribes in Swiss bank accounts from 1997 to 2004. SNC-Lavalin agreed in 2022 to pay Quebec nearly $30 million over three years to settle bribery charges stemming from the same project.
Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister, Timur Ivanov, has been arrested and charged with bribery, sparking speculation about a possible purge among Moscow’s elite. Independent media outlets allege that Ivanov and his family amassed wealth through military contract kickbacks. The arrest has also raised questions about whether Ivanov faces treason charges, which his lawyer denies. The investigation continues, and the court’s decision is pending.
