German prosecutors have ordered aircraft maker Airbus to pay more than 81.25 million euros to complete an investigation into alleged corruption. The payments are part of a long-running investigation involving the sale of a multi-billion euro Eurofighter jet to Austria.
"European aircraft manufacturer Airbus agreed to complete a corruption inquiry in Germany by paying a fine of 81.25 million euros (Rp 1.3 trillion) to the authorities," the prosecutor in Munich said, as reported by DW on Feb. 9, 2018.
The first German investigation opened in 2012, to investigate whether Airbus bribed to get a 2 billion euro contract or Rp 33.3 trillion to sell Eurofighter fighter jets to Austria in 2003.
Prosecutors in Munich in a statement said the investigation found no evidence of bribery. But it said Airbus's management had failed in its supervisory duties by allowing employees to make multi million euro payments in connection with a deal for an obscure purpose.
"Funds that pass through internal controls and most without provable returns are used for unclear purposes, which can not be determined on the basis of cash flows, which eventually payments are eventually served," the prosecutor's statement said.
Therefore, the German authorities concluded that Airbus failed in its oversight role by allowing its former management to make payments.
Airbus is still under investigation in Austria over claims that bribery is paid to complete a Eurofighter sale deal. The Austrian government last year filed a lawsuit against the company, with a loss of 1.1 billion euros or Rp 18.3 trillion for the purchase of 18 Eurofighter.
Eurofighter Typhoon is a major prestige product for the European defense industry, with around 500 aircraft being shipped
so far to Germany, England, Italy and Spain, as well as to Austria and Saudi Arabia.
The four founding countries in the consortium - Germany, Spain, Britain and Italy - all use aircraft in their own air force. Other contracts have been signed with Oman and Kuwait. Austria is the first country outside the consortium to register.
But allegations of corruption then circled around the deal. A first investigation was made in Austria in 2007.
France and Britain are also investigating the company on the sale of its commercial jet. The company also faces separate investigations in France and the UK.
Airbus Chief Executive Tom Enders, who led the defense business from 2000 to 2005, has denied any wrongdoing. However, Airbus announced in December last year that Enders will not be reappointed when his term ends in April 2019.