(Bloomberg) — The Serious Fraud Office has made three arrests and searched multiple properties in England and Monaco as part of an investigation into bribes paid by a construction firm to win a contract to help build a data center for Microsoft Corporation.
Former associates of the Mace Group, a London-based construction group, and infrastructure firm Blu-3 are the subjects of the SFO’s investigation, according to an announcement on Wednesday. Individuals at Blu-3 are accused of paying over £3 million ($4 million) in bribes to Mace associates to win contracts to help build the data center in the Netherlands.
More than 70 SFO staff searched four homes and one commercial property across London, Kent, Surrey and Somerset to seize evidence, the SFO said.
“Paying bribes to do business undermines our financial markets,” Nick Ephgrave, SFO director, said in the statement. “Today’s action is a reminder that we will take rapid and robust action to tackle suspected bribery and corruption wherever it appears – at home and overseas.”
Blu -3 is “supporting an external SFO investigation and is fully cooperating with the agency,” the company said in a statement. “We take matters of this nature extremely seriously and are committed to upholding the highest standards.”
Blu-3 worked with Mace Group on the construction of the Shard skyscraper in 2009, according to Blu-3’s website.
Mace “takes any allegations of bribery extremely seriously,” a spokesperson for the firm said in an email. “We are committed to fully supporting the Serious Fraud Office in investigating allegations against any former associates of the group.”
Microsoft isn’t named as a target of the investigation.
