CONSIA CONSULTANTS APS

Industry

Engineering / Construction

Corporate Headquarters

Kastrup, Denmark

Summary of Allegations:

Nationality of Foreign Officials: Indonesia, Vietnam

Summary of Allegations:

Consia Consultants ApS ("Consia") was awarded contracts for five World Bank projects: the Strategic Road Infrastructure Project in Indonesia; the Hanoi Urban Transport Development Project in Vietnam ("HUTD"); the Northern Delta Transport Development Project in Vietnam ("NDTD"); the Second Northern Mountains Poverty Reduction Project in Vietnam ("2PR"); and the Haiphong Urban Transport Development Project in Vietnam ("H2UTD"). Consia allegedly paid bribes to government officials to secure or influence the execution of the contracts.

In December 2011, Erling Rask, the Managing Director of Consia, allegedly ordered a Regional Manager to give USD 10,000 to a marketing agent, who then gave the funds to the project manager for the Indonesia contract. 

The same Regional Manager allegedly gave at least USD 50,000 in 2012 to the deputy director of a sub-consultant for the HUTD contract who in turn gave the money to officials of the project implementation unit before the contract was signed, and then again while the contract was being executed.

Similarly, the Regional Manager, with the Rask's knowledge and approval, allegedly paid bribes in 2012 and 2013 to officials of the project implementation unit after the signing of the NDTD contract.

Consia allegedly entered into a "pay-as-you-earn" contract with officials of the project implementation unit to influence the award and execution of the 2PR contract, and paid bribes to officials of the project implementation unit for the H2UTD project to influence the award of the contract.

Approximate Alleged Payments to Foreign Officials: At least USD 60,000

Business Advantage Allegedly Obtained: securing contracts for World Bank projects in Indonesia and Vietnam

Enforcement Results

Agencies: World Bank: Sanctions Board

Results: Suspension/Debarment

Year Resolved: 2017

Compliance Monitor:

Ongoing: No

Details:

The Sanctions Board did not find sufficient evidence to support the allegations that: (i) Consia entered into a "pay-as-you-earn" contract with officials of the project implementation unit to influence the award and execution of the 2PR contract; (ii) that the Regional Manager, with Rask's knowledge and approval, paid bribes in 2012 and 2013 to officials of the project implementation unit after the signing of the NDTD contract; or (iii) that Consia paid bribes to officials of the project implementation unit for the H2UTD project to influence the award of the contract.

However, the Sanctions Board did find it more likely than not that Consia had engaged in corrupt activities concerning the Indonesia contract and the HUTD contract.

The Sanctions Board also found that Consia had interfered with the Vice Presidency for Integrity's investigation by instructing witnesses not to cooperate. However, Consia did provide documentary evidence, access to computers and documents, replied timely to requests and allowed staff to be interviewed.

Consia was debarred for 14 years, while Rask was debarred for three and a half years.

ENTITIES / INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED
  • Consia Consultants ApS
  • Erling Rask (Managing Director of Consia)