FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 6 December 2019
Issued by: Anti-Corruption Commission
Contact: Deborah Bodden, Manager, Commissions Secretariat (Deborah.Bodden@gov.ky Tel - 244 3687)
International Anti-Corruption Day 2019
Since the inception of the Anti-Corruption Law on 1 January 2010, there have been 174 reports/complaints of alleged corruption registered by the Anti-Corruption Commission (“the Commission”). Currently, Investigators who support the Commission are actively investigating 13 reports/complaints of alleged corruption, most of which are protracted, complex and multi-faceted investigations.
During the last reporting period (1 July 2018 – 30 June 2019) Investigators conducted 115 interviews with suspects and witnesses, arrested 8 persons, executed 10 search warrants, and saw 1 person charged and 6 persons convicted in the Grand Court. Since 1 July 2019 the Commission has already received 7 new complaints/reports of alleged corruption, conducted almost 40 interviews with suspects and witnesses, arrested 2 persons, and seen 6 persons charged and 3 persons convicted in the Grand Court.
Twenty-seven persons remain on bail in various corruption related matters, which include:
The Cayman Islands has a strong legislative framework to assist in the investigations however the Commission strongly continues to encourage the Government to focus on putting in place the necessary safeguards aimed at preventing corruption including stricter accountability and supervisory roles within the various Government entities; and the commencement of the Standards in Public Life Law.
The United Nations reports that “Every year $1 trillion is paid in bribes while an estimated $2.6 trillion are stolen annually through corruption – a sum equivalent to more than 5 per cent of the global GDP.” The UN continues to focus on uniting the world in the fight against corruption, this year’s theme #UnitedAgainstCorruption focusing on three areas – how corruption impedes sustainable development goals, the need to empower and mobilise our youth in the fight against corruption, and how we all need to take action, lead the change, and be the change.
The Comission stands with the United Nations and other anti-corruption agencies in the fight against corruption today and every day. We encourage you to learn more about the Commission (www.anticorruptioncommission.ky), its work (https://www.anticorruptioncommission.ky/annual-reports), the United Nations corruption efforts (https://www.un.org/en/events/anticorruptionday/). For more information you can also call 244-3687, or email info@anticorruptioncommission.ky or Deborah.bodden@gov.ky.
ENDS