An official source in the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority stated that the Authority dealt with (227) criminal cases, during the last period, by arresting and investigating (374) citizens and residents, and they were referred to the competent court to take legal action against them.
The most prominent case was as follow:
Information was provided while carrying out the investigation procedures by the Control and Anti-Corruption Authority, indicating that there is a suspicion of corruption, illicit gain, and exploitation of the influence of the public office, for a number of employees of the municipalities of one of the governorates of the Riyadh region, and by taking necessary measures, the information was proven correct against (4) employees. An employee in the 14th rank (who worked previously as a municipality director), an employee in the 10th rank (who works as a procurement and contracts manager), as well as an employee in the 9thrank (who works in the procurement department), and the last in the 8th rank (who works in the financial affairs department). A search warrant was granted from competent authorities, and their homes were searched and cash sums totaling (43,915,800) riyals were found, and (360,000) of various foreign currencies, and (2,000,000) riyals worth of (prepaid cards) for shopping from a food store, and a (149,225) riyals are (prepaid petrol cards), (5) gold ingots, and (2) weapons (pistols). The following was proven after investigation:
-The first admitted, to the crimes of exploiting the influence of the public office for the purpose of illicit financial gain, forgery, embezzlement of public money through abusing municipal resources, bribery, and exploiting government contracts for his own personal benefit, and money laundering. The total sums collected were (20,000,000) riyals, which were used to purchase real estate and luxury vehicles, in addition to an amount of (1,545,000) riyals in cash was found at his home. Work is underway to complete the legal procedures against them and everyone related to these cases in order to refer them to the judiciary.
-The second admitted to bribery, forgery and exploiting the influence of the public office for the purpose of illicit financial gain and exploitation of government contracts for his personal interests and embezzlement of public money through the exploitation of municipal resources and money laundering by using these sums in the purchase of real estates and luxury vehicles, as well as an amount of (35,150,700) riyals in cash was found at his home, of which (4,500,000) riyals in cash that belongs to the first.
-The third admitted to bribery, forgery and exploitation of the influence of the public office for the purpose of illicit gain by facilitating the first and second of obtaining contracts for institutions belonging to their acquaintances and the exploitation of municipal resources, and money laundering by using theses sums in the purchase of real estate and luxury vehicles, as well as an amount of (5,496,500) in cash was found at his home.
-The fourth admitted to bribery and exploitation of the influence of the public office with the purpose of illicit financial gain by facilitating to the first and second of exploiting municipal resources for their own benefit, and money laundering by using theses sums in the purchase of real estate and luxury vehicles, as well as an amount of (1,718,700) riyals in cash was found at his home.
H.E. the President of the Control and Anti-Corruption Authority, Mr. Mazen bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous, explained that he recently received a letter of appreciation from HRH the Crown Prince - may Allah protect him - addressed to the Authority's employees, and it includes as follow: “May Allah be pleased with you. I thank each one of the Authority's employees. They act nowadays as the knights of this fierce fight against corruption, in order to eradicate it from our dear country.
H.E. affirmed that this message is a source of confidence, pride and appreciation for the unlimited support the leadership provides to carry out its jurisdiction and perform its tasks in fighting financial and administrative corruption in all its manifestations and forms.
The Authority affirms on the continuation to pursue anyone who exploits the public office to achieve personal gain or harm the public interest in any way possible, and that it is continuing to hold the negligent parties accountable and apply what the law rules against them.
The Authority also appreciates the efforts of government entities in fighting financial and administrative corruption and the development of policies and procedures that promotes speedy achievements and that shuts any inlets for corruption, and the Authority commends the cooperation of everyone in reporting through its available channels to receive reports, including the toll free number (980) for any practices involving financial or administrative corruption that would undermine the efforts of the government to support and promote the path of comprehensive development.