Dutch prosecutors fine Fleurette €25.8M for DRC mining bribery scheme
Dutch prosecutors have fined Fleurette Properties €25.8 million for bribing a senior official in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The case centres on payments made between 2010 and 2011 to secure mining licences. The settlement ends an eight-year investigation into the company's dealings in the DRC.
The investigation found that Fleurette Properties, a company linked to Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler, paid bribes to Augustin Katumba Mwanke. These payments were intended to obtain mining rights in the DRC. Fleurette admitted to the transactions but avoided further charges against individuals or related entities.
During the probe, Fleurette moved its headquarters from the DRC to the Netherlands. The relocation took advantage of the country's favourable tax and business environment. Meanwhile, Gertler faced separate sanctions from the U.S. government.
In 2017, the U.S. first sanctioned Gertler for his role in corrupt mining and oil deals in the DRC. These schemes reportedly cost the country over $1.3 billion in lost revenue between 2010 and 2012. The sanctions were briefly lifted in 2021 before being reimposed later that year. The Biden administration upheld the measures, citing ongoing concerns over corruption and human rights violations.
The U.S. Treasury also targeted Fleurette Properties in 2018 due to its ties to Gertler. Despite the sanctions, the company continued operations until the Dutch settlement was reached.
The €25.8 million fine marks the end of a lengthy legal battle for Fleurette Properties. The case highlights the financial and legal risks tied to corrupt practices in resource-rich countries. Gertler, however, remains under U.S. sanctions for his alleged role in the DRC's mining sector.
