Ex-UN official sentenced to 8 years' jail
April 1, 2008
ABC News
Original Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/02/2206045.htm?section=world
A former United Nations procurement official has been sentenced to eight years and one month in prison for helping a friend secure at least $US50 million in contracts in return for financial favours, including a luxury apartment.
Sanjaya Bahel, 57, was sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court where he was convicted last June on charges of fraud and accepting corrupt payments for steering contracts to two companies represented by long-time family friend Nishan Kohli.
All that I have has been lost, Bahel told US District Judge Thomas Griesa while pleading to be able to return to his native India to be with his wife, two sons and elderly parents.
I stand before you a devastated and broken man.
But Mr Griesa said the UN relied on individuals like Bahel to have its operations conducted in an honest manner.
During the trial, prosecutors said Bahel gave inside information and expert advice to help secure contracts for two companies - the Indian Government-owned Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd and Thunderbird Industries LLC - represented by Kohli.
In return, prosecutors argued, Bahel was awarded 10 per cent of Kohli's profits earned through UN business, first-class plane tickets and reduced prices as a renter, and then buyer, of a $US1.5 million luxury apartment close to the UN headquarters in Manhattan.
During sentencing, the judge said the value of the favours and benefits to Bahel was at least $US400,000.
Bahel's lawyer, Richard Herman, had accused prosecutors of a witch hunt against Bahel aimed at repairing the public relations damage done to the UN over other scandals, including the Iraq oil-for-food investigation.
Kohli, who pleaded guilty in exchange for leniency and is expected to be sentenced within a month, testified during the trial he gave Bahel cash and the apartment deal and also paid off other officials with visits to strip clubs and prostitutes.
Bahel served as chief of the Commodity Procurement Section within the Procurement Division of the UN from 1999 to 2003.
After his conviction, UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said he was satisfied that justice has been done.