Agusta scandal

The Agusta affair (or Agusta - Dassault affair) was a corruption scandal in connection with combat helicopter purchases by the Belgian army by the Italian manufacturer Agusta in 1988. The affair came through a search of the Belgian headquarters of Agusta and their lobbyists Georges Cywie to light. It led to the resignation of several key politicians.

In January 1994, the Belgian Senate voted for a partial waiver of the parliamentary immunity of two Regional Minister Guy Spitaels (PS ) and Guy Mathot (PS ) as a result of a report by the investigating judge Véronique Ancia.

The Belgian Defense Minister Guy Coëme (PS ) was forced to resign in January 1994. He was followed by Foreign Minister Franck Vandenbroucke ( SP) in March of the same year and on 20 October 1995, the NATO Secretary General Willy Claes.

The Belgian Court of Cassation sentenced Willy Claes on 23 December 1998 to three years' probation and told him five years to take public office. Guy Coëme and Guy Spitaels were sentenced to two years probation and may not hold office during five years. The French Industrial Serge Dassault was sentenced to two years probation. Only Guy Mathot was acquitted of the charges.

Overall, Agusta and Dassault paid more than 160 million Belgian francs ( € 4 million ) in bribes to the Parti Socialiste and the Socialist Partij. The Parti Socialiste had to pay 111 million francs CHF 49 million and the Socialist Partij.

Judgments

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