Lockheed bribery scandals

The Lockheed scandals triggered by a series of bribes and contributions by the American aircraft manufacturer Lockheed. They caused intense political controversy in the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan.

Germany

According to the former Lockheed lobbyist Ernest F. Hauser Defense Minister Franz Josef Strauss and his party received in 1961 10 million U.S. dollars for the purchase of 916 F -104 Starfighter fighter aircraft. Strauss therefore brought a defamation suit against Hauser. The investigation of the case was initially stopped because of lack of evidence.

Prior to the federal election in 1976, the debate was resumed. The media has been leaked several potentially fake letter, according to which, inter alia, Manfred Wörner, CDU member of parliament and a member of the Defence Committee, at the invitation and expense of Lockheed their manufacturing facilities had visited in the U.S.. It had also been found that most of Lockheed documents of the Ministry of Defence had already been destroyed in 1962. Due to further suspicions a committee in the Bundestag was established, which again dealt from January 1978 to May 1979 with this case. An investigation of documents Lockheed by U.S. authorities revealed that Wörners journey through the Bundestag had been financed and in connection with a test flight of a Lockheed S-3 was. Only a part of the travel costs for Wörners secretary and Wörners return ticket from the U.S. to Germany were paid by Lockheed:

" Woerner what Accompanied by his secretary and a portion of her expenses were paid by Lockheed. Further, Woerner "lost " his government paid ticket back to Germany and Lockheed " Accommodated " him by giving him another ticket. "

" Wörner was accompanied by his secretary and a part of their expenses paid by Lockheed. Next " lost " Wörner be paid by the government return ticket to Germany and Lockheed came to him with the output of another ticket " counter ". "

The employees at Lockheed lobbyist Christian Steinrücke warned in October 1975 Martin J. Hillenbrand, U.S. Ambassador to Germany, not to explore the background of the Star Fighter procurement, as this could cause difficulties for Franz Josef Strauss to:

" Steinrücke warned me not to ask too many questions about the F -104 procurement Because it would mean " great trouble for Mr. Strauss. " He did not elaborate but from the tone of his remarks he was talking about Strauss ' position in the next election campaign. His comments did Indicated he is Closely tied to the CSU and follows its strategies and finances Closely. " Why Should you be Concerned if American multinationals give money in political campaigns? " He asked at one point. "

" Steinrücke warned me not to ask too many questions about the F -104 procurement, because this " would mean big trouble for Mr. Strauss ". Only the tone of his remarks pointed out that he was talking about Strauss' role in the next election campaign. His remarks suggested that he was standing near the CSU and its strategy and finances closely pursued. " Why should it bother us if American corporations make money for election campaigns available? " He asked again. "

Studies by Fritz Josef Rath, head of the Anti-Corruption Unit, revealed that Lockheed paid about 1.1 to 1.3 million DM in bribes, with a " substantial sum " to the head of the " Air Force unit " at the Federal Office of Defense Technology and procurement of the German Armed Forces in Koblenz, Heinrich Sellschopp should be flowed. According to statements by former Lockheed - seller Paul White, the banker Hermann Josef Abs and Franz Josef Strauss received monies in connection with the sale of aircraft type Lockheed Constellation and Electra to Lufthansa. When selling the Lockheed F -104 was similar approach:

"White told the FMOD (Foreign Ministry of Defense) did Lockheed had hired Frank Fahle at the suggestion of Herman Abs, Abs did and Strauss had received money in connection with the sale of Constellations and Electras to Lufthansa and did the same pattern of dealing what continuing on the 104 sale. White quit Lockheed before the 104 payments began and THEREFORE Could Provide only the modis operandi. "

"White told the Ministry of Defence that Lockheed had hired at the suggestion of Herman Abs Frank Fahle that Abs and Strauss had received money in connection with the sale of Constellation and Electra machines to Lufthansa and that the same approach when selling had been applied 104. White announced at Lockheed prior to payment for the 104 and could therefore bring only the procedure in experience. "

Italy

In Italy, interest is focused on the bribery of Christian Democratic politician. The investigations were driven by the news magazine L'espresso and mainly related to the then President Giovanni Leone, who resigned on 15 June 1978. Former Defense Minister Mario Tanassi ( PSDI ) was sentenced in the Constitutional Court, while his predecessor, Luigi Gui (DC) was acquitted.

Netherlands

Prince Bernhard received 1.1 million U.S. dollars bribe from Lockheed to bring about a decision in favor of the Lockheed F -104 and against the Dassault Mirage. Prime Minister Joop den Uyl ordered an investigation of the case. Prince Bernhard had initially back the allegations, but had to withdraw from all public offices. After his death on December 1, 2004, the investigation report was published, with his guilt could be unequivocally assigned.

Japan

The Japanese Lockheed scandal was the biggest corruption scandal in post-war Japan. In 1976 the former Japanese Prime Minister Tanaka Kakuei be proved that he had received from Lockheed three million U.S. dollars to lobby for the purchase of the Lockheed Tristar by the Japanese airline All Nippon Airways. In the so-called " Lockheed - election " in 1976 his Liberal Democratic Party lost the first time the absolute majority in the lower house. The criminal case against Tanaka dragged on for years. He died in 1993, before the judgment of last resort was announced.

United States

At the turn of 1975/76, a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate dealt with the bribery allegations and came to the conclusion that a total of 22 million U.S. dollars had been paid to officials of friendly governments to induce the purchase of Lockheed aircraft. Then came Lockheed Chairman Daniel Haughton and his deputy Carl Kotchian on February 13, 1976 back from their posts. The scandal gave impetus to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which was signed by President Jimmy Carter on December 19, 1977. Since then it has banned all Americans to pay bribes to officials of foreign governments.

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