Four jailed for £600,000 demolition industry bribery scheme

(PHOTO: Adobe Stock/ronstik)

Arben Hysa, director of Tony Demolition Workers Ltd, was found guilty of bribing three former managers at national contractor Keltbray to secure labour supply contracts between 2012 and 2018.

The contracts awarded by Keltbray during this period were valued at £15 million (US$20.1 million).

Michael Dennis McCarthy, Simon Lacey and John Burke—the three former site managers who were dismissed by Keltbray in 2018 when the allegations came to light—were convicted of receiving bribes in breach of their duties to the company.

The prosecution was brought following a Home Office investigation into the labour contracts between Keltbray and Tony Demolition Workers Ltd. It was authorised with the personal consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

At Southwark Crown Court in London, the following sentences were handed down:

• Arben Hysa - 3.5 years’ imprisonment
• Michael Dennis McCarthy - 3.5 years
• John Burke - 3.5 years
• Simon Lacey - 2 years

Andrew Cant of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Corruption in the construction industry distorts competition between companies and makes the UK a less attractive marketplace for domestic and foreign investors.

“McCarthy, Lacey, and Burke ignored the rules in respect of their obligation to act in the interests of their employer Keltbray when dealing with external contractors by accepting significant sums of money from Arben Hysa.”

He added: “The CPS will now commence confiscation proceedings in order to reclaim the ill-gotten gains of the defendants’ crimes.”

In a statement, Keltbray said: “Following the Crown Court’s sentencing yesterday of three former Keltbray employees for corruption, Keltbray firmly welcomes the decisive outcome and the clear message it sends about accountability and justice.

“Keltbray was a direct victim of these individuals’ serious breaches of trust during their employment between 2012 and 2018.

“Their actions were a gross violation of the responsibilities entrusted to them, and we are dismayed by their misconduct. Keltbray fully supported the authorities throughout the extensive investigation and judicial process, and the severity of the sentences rightly reflects the gravity of their offences. Keltbray thanks the CPS for their action in this case.”

The company added: “This verdict upholds the principles enshrined in Keltbray’s Code of Conduct and demonstrates the critical importance of our zero-tolerance approach, including the immediate dismissal of those involved at the time.

“Now that justice has been served, we are resolute in continuing our commitment to promoting the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and professionalism across every part of our organisation.”