Former Hogan Lovells partner linked to South Africa corruption scandal
Firm said it was "appalled and shocked" by allegations, which come after criticism of its operations in the country last year
January 22, 2019 at 05:20 AM
2 minute read
A former Hogan Lovells partner has been implicated in a South African scandal involving allegations of corrupt payments to government officials.
Brian Biebuyck, the former head of the firm's South African commercial litigation practice, was named by Angelo Agrizzi, the former COO of facilities management company Bosasa, in his testimony to a government inquiry into corruption and fraud in the public sector.
Agrizzi was discussing a video that showed senior figures at Bosasa handling bags of cash, which he claimed was used for bribes, according to a transcript of the testimony.
Agrizzi alleged Biebuyck was involved in "handling" or "managing" the recipients of the money so that they would not become "a loose cannon".
Bosasa – now known as African Global Operations – is a former client of Biebuyck, who left Hogan Lovells in March 2017.
In a statement, the firm said that it was "appalled and shocked" by the claims.
South Africa chairman Nkonzo Hlatshwayo said: "We are deeply disturbed by what was claimed yesterday before the commission. We strongly condemn all forms of bribery and corruption and our first priority is to understand for ourselves the events which are alleged by Agrizzi to have taken place. We will take the appropriate actions and will report any criminal conduct to the relevant authorities."
The firm said it believed Biebuyck had been working independently since his departure from the firm.
The allegations come just a year after Labour peer Lord Peter Hain strongly criticised the firm's South Africa branch, claiming it produced a "fatally flawed whitewash of a report" into allegations of South African government corruption.
The veteran anti-apartheid campaigner called on the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to withdraw Hogan Lovells' authorisation to practise, but the SRA later decided no action would be taken.
Hogan Lovells said it would continue to investigate the Bosasa allegations.""We are committed to upholding the highest standards expected in our profession and will take whatever action is required to ensure that we adhere to those standards," said Hlatshwayo.
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