FH Bertling Logistics charged by SFO

Bertling logistics and seven individuals have been charged with bribery by the UK’s anti-fraud agency.

The Serious Fraud Office has said on Wednesday that FH Bertling Ltd and seven men- including a 77-year-old – have been charged with one count of making corrupt payments contrary to the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906.

Peter Ferdinand, 77, Marc Schweiger, 46, Stephen Emler, 48, Joerg Blumberg, 67, Dirk Juergensen, 45, Giuseppe Morreale, 61, Ralf Peterson, 72 and F.H. Bertling Ltd are alleged to have conspired together and with others to bribe an agent of the Angolan state oil company, Sonangol, to further F.H. Bertling’s business operations in that regiony.

The alleged activity occurred between January 2005 and December 2006. The case was accepted for investigation by the SFO in September 2014.

F.H. Bertling Ltd and the individuals are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 4.

F.H. Bertling Ltd. is a UK-based subsidiary of the German-headquartered Bertling Group.

The SFO is responsible for investigating serious allegations of bribery and corruption and has been involved in high profile court cases in recent months including prosecutions for the manipulation of the Libor rate.