SFO Director Robert Wardle has submitted his annual report to the Attorney General for presentation to Parliament on 17 July 2007. The report covers the period 5 April 2006 to 4 April 2007.
Review of the year
(pages 4 to 7 of the report):
Charges of conspiracy to defraud brought against five companies and nine individuals in Operation Holbein, the pharmaceuticals price-fixing case.
The investigation into BAe Systems Plc and the Al-Yamamah defence equipment contract with Saudi Arabia was closed on grounds of risk to national security interests.
An investigation was opened into suspected breaches of UN sanctions concerning Iraq and the sale of oil and the provision of goods purchased with the proceeds of the oil sales.
Following an investigation involving securing evidence from witnesses from around the globe, charges were brought in connection with the Imperial Consolidated Group Plc.
Completed trials
During the year 11 trials were completed. Fifteen defendants were convicted and received custodial sentences ranging from 18-months to eight years. Six defendants were acquitted. Annual conviction rate 71%. Four other defendants were not proceeded against and the charges left to lie on the file. (Page 12).
As at the year-end there were 64 cases on-going, either under investigation or where charges have been brought. These cases represent nearly £2.4 billion that was placed at risk. (Page 12)
Restraint and confiscation
Confiscation proceedings during the year resulted in eleven orders being made totalling over £5 million. A total of 32 restraint orders were obtained during the year and by the year-end around £115 million of suspects assets were under restraint in SFO cases and £86 million in support of investigations by overseas authorities. (Page 5)
Overseas corruption
As lead authority for the registration of reports received alleging corruption committed by UK individuals/companies at year end the SFO was considering 18 allegations for possible investigation. Fifteen other cases were already under investigation. (Page 6).
The SFO provides investigative assistance to overseas authorities seeking evidence in the jurisdiction. During the year 53 new requests were accepted. In total 89 requests were completed during the report period. (Page 15).
Fraud Review and review of the SFO
The SFO has participated in the Fraud Review consultation and the recommendations made in the report published during the year have been welcomed by the Director. (Letter to the Attorney General, pages 1 and 2 and also page 5)
Separately, a review of the way the SFO approaches its cases has been jointly commissioned by the Attorney General and the SFO Director to study how complex fraud cases can tried more quickly and what can be learned from practices applied in other countries. Former US senior prosecutor Jessica de Grazia is undertaking this review. (Pages 5 and 37).
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