Secretary-General satisfied justice done with United States

federal court guilty verdict against sanjaya bahel

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General notes the verdict announced today in federal court in Manhattan against Sanjaya Bahel.  He is satisfied that justice has been done.

The Secretary-General once again reaffirms his support for the work of the United Nations’ own Office of Internal Oversight Services/Procurement Task Force.  The evidence supporting this guilty verdict was based in large part on the extensive work done by the Task Force.  Their 86-page report about Mr. Bahel’s conduct was given to the Office of the United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York in July of last year.

The evidence gathered by the Procurement Task Force supported the criminal charges against Mr. Bahel and Nishan Kohli, a principal of a company that did business with the United Nations and who pleaded guilty to bribing Mr. Bahel and testified against him.

The Secretary-General very much appreciates the diligence and effort put into this case by the United States Attorney’s Office.  In continuing these investigations, the United Nations stands ready to cooperate with law enforcement authorities in every concerned Member State.

The Secretary-General expects all vendors, contractors, and their representatives, to conduct their business with the United Nations with highest levels of integrity and honesty.  Those who fail to do so will not be permitted to continue doing business with this Organization.

The Secretary-General remains committed to actively pursuing any fraud and wrongdoing at the United Nations.  Such acts tarnish the reputation of the Organization, and the tens of thousands of United Nations employees who work honourably and honestly.

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For information media • not an official record