Amlo targets assets in fire truck graft

Amlo targets assets in fire truck graft

The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) will direct financial institutions and banks throughout the country to disclose details of all the bank accounts and financial transactions of the two former officials who fled jail sentences for corruption in the purchase of fire trucks and boats.

Amlo secretary-general Seehanat Prayoonrat said Wednesday a sub committee would examine the assets of the two fugitives, former deputy interior minister Pracha Maleenont and the former city fire department chief Athilak Tanchukiat.

A report would be submitted to Amlo's committee on financial transactions, which would decide whether to freeze their assets.

However, the agency would look into conviction details against the fugitives first, and see if the ruling referred to assets acquired through corrupt means, before it could enforce the money laundering law.

If their financial irregularities were clear, Pol Col Seehanat said, the transactions committee could freeze assets of Mr Pracha and Pol Maj Gen Athilak, both in Thailand and other countries.

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Tuesday handed down a 12-year prison term to Pracha and a 10-year term to Pol Maj Gen Athilak for their roles in the 6.687-billion-baht fire trucks procurement deal, which has been deemed corrupt.

The court found them guilty of malfeasance and price collusion in the purchase of 315 fire trucks and 30 fire boats by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

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