Fraud squad calls for retrial for two ex-Barclays traders for Libor-rigging offences July 6, 2016 The fraud squad has today announced it is seeking a retrial for two ex-Barclays traders accused of Libor-rigging offences. Stylianos Contogoulas, 44, and Ryan Reich, 34, have been charged with conspiracy to defraud in relation to manipulating US-dollar linked Libor between June 2005 and September 2007. The pair previously stood trial for the offence, but [...]
The Libor trial could be a turning point for SFO July 5, 2016 The UK's fraud squad has had a rough ride in recent years. Wave after wave of criticism has battered its modest West End headquarters, especially since the botched investigation into property tycoon Vincent Tchenguiz. Just over four years have passed since the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) admitted that there were “no longer reasonable grounds” for pursuing [...]
Libor three – Who’s who? July 4, 2016 After a trial lasting just short of three months, three ex-Barclays bankers have been found guilty of Libor-rigging related offences. The jury was, however, unable to arrive at a decision for the other two before being discharged. But who were the men in the docks? Jonathan Mathew (Source: Getty) Jonathan Mathew, 35 Verdict: Guilty, 11-1 majority [...]
Everything you ever wanted to know about Libor (but were too afraid to ask) July 4, 2016 It may be hard to believe but, four years since the Libor-rigging scandal first rocked the City, the fallout is still being felt. Today, the jury on the most recent Libor trial was discharged after reaching guilty verdicts for three of the men involved but being unable to arrive at a verdict for the other [...]
Four years after the Libor scandal broke – how many bankers have been found guilty, and how many have been acquitted? July 4, 2016 Four years ago, Bob Diamond sensationally quit as chief executive of Barclays as a scandal over Libor-rigging sent shockwaves through London’s banks. Shortly after, on 6 July 2012, the Serious Fraud Office (known as the SFO) kicked off an investigation into the manipulation of Libor – the “London Interbank Offered Rate”, an interest rate benchmark [...]
Three ex-Barclays bankers found guilty of Libor-rigging July 4, 2016 Three more former bankers have been slapped with guilty verdicts for their roles in Libor manipulation, taking the total number of UK convictions to five. Former traders Jay Merchant, 45, and Alex Pabon, 38, and ex-Libor submitter Jonathan Mathew, 35, all stood trial charged with conspiracy to defraud. The prosecution said that the trio of [...]
Barclays brands financier Amanda Staveley’s $1bn claim as “misconceived” June 16, 2016 Barclays has branded a lawsuit brought by Amanda Staveley, a financier who helped the bank avoid a taxpayer bailout in 2008, as "fundamentally misconceived". In a 44-page court document filed by the bank, Barclays denied allegations made by Staveley's firm PCP Capital Partners over a fundraising that took place amid 2008's financial crisis. At the time, Stavely's firm was advising Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed [...]
Accountancy watchdog launches probe into Deloitte over Serco audit off back of fraud squad investigation June 8, 2016 The accountancy watchdog today launched an investigation into Deloitte over the audit of Serco Group, off the back of information uncovered by an ongoing investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has said it will be investigating the big four firm in relation to the preparation, approval and audit of the outsourcing company’s [...]
Former Deutsche Bank trader Christian Bittar given green light to pursue civil case against FCA June 6, 2016 A former Deutsche Bank trader has been given the go ahead to continue with a civil case against the City watchdog. Christian Bittar is suing over the manner he was depicted in a penalty notice issued by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which levied a fine on his former employers for its role in the rate rigging [...]
Why “failure to prevent” will fail to prevent fraud and money laundering June 4, 2016 Predictably, reaction to the Prime Minister’s proposal of a new failure to prevent economic crime offence has been mixed. The timing of recent announcement – in the wake of the Panama Papers scandal and just as Mr Cameron's anti-corruption summit kicked into gear – was not lost on some commentators. Others have welcomed the announcement, pointing to [...]