Deutsche Telekom CEO faces bribery probe
The Bonn state prosecutor’s office is investigating Deutsche Telekom CEO René Obermann and seven others on suspicion of bribery in Macedonia and Montenegro.
The probe was launched after US authorities asked German officials to aid their own inquiry, which also includes suspects who are not employed by Deutsche Telekom, the company said in a statement released late on Tuesday.
Allegations include links to a meeting with the head of Makedonski Telekom (MakTel) in 2005, during which the company was paid a dividend on the condition that the Macedonian telecommunications market remain closed to other competitors.
This has also been connected to other bribery payments by a third party, the company said.
Obermann denies any wrongdoing, and Deutsche Telekom, Europe’s largest telecommunications company, said it is cooperating with investigators.
Obermann also said corruption is not tolerated within the company and was not under suspicion of wrongdoing while already working with US authorities for the last four years.
DAPD/ka
Comments
See Also
The probe was launched after US authorities asked German officials to aid their own inquiry, which also includes suspects who are not employed by Deutsche Telekom, the company said in a statement released late on Tuesday.
Allegations include links to a meeting with the head of Makedonski Telekom (MakTel) in 2005, during which the company was paid a dividend on the condition that the Macedonian telecommunications market remain closed to other competitors.
This has also been connected to other bribery payments by a third party, the company said.
Obermann denies any wrongdoing, and Deutsche Telekom, Europe’s largest telecommunications company, said it is cooperating with investigators.
Obermann also said corruption is not tolerated within the company and was not under suspicion of wrongdoing while already working with US authorities for the last four years.
DAPD/ka
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.