The Serious Fraud Office said on 29 March it was considering an investigation into Rio Tinto’s actions in China after a Shanghai court sentenced four of the mining company’s employees to between seven and 14 years in jail.
“This case is on our radar and is something we have been watching for some time,” said Jina Roe, an SFO representative. “The SFO is now reviewing whether to start an inquiry in light of new information.” No decision has yet been reached, she said.
Four Rio employees, including Stern Hu, formerly a top company executive in China, were convicted yesterday of taking bribes and stealing commercial secrets in the course of selling Rio’s iron ore to Chinese steelmakers.
See http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4221b1c8-3b92-11df-a4c0-00144feabdc0.html.