Gadhafi Mexico plot riles SNC-Lavalin, insiders say

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Insiders at Canadian engineering firm SNC-Lavalin say the company is in turmoil over its involvement with Cyndy Vanier, a hired consultant now facing serious charges in Mexico.

A number of employees have come forward to CBC News alleging Vanier has become a victim of ‘rogue’ officers within their own company who arranged secretive meetings with Vanier in Mexico. The insiders spoke to CBC News on condition they not be named, for fear of reprisals within the company.

Vanier was arrested in Mexico City on Nov. 10, 2011 and is in jail facing charges of leading a plot to smuggle members of Libya’s Gadhafi family into the country under assumed names involving forged passports. The next day, three other people were arrested.

At the time, Vanier was arranging meetings between Mexican officials and SNC-Lavalin vice-president controller Stephane Roy on potential water treatment projects.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/02/08/cyndy-vanier-snc-lavalin-mexico-gadhafi.html



CSIS??? Or perhaps some other country?

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1. Two top execs leave SNC-Lavalin amid turmoil over Gahdafis

SNC-Lavalin stock took a hit Friday morning, dipping almost five per cent after news the engineering giant had parted ways with two of its key executives seen to be too closely involved with the Gadhafis – before and after the uprising in Libya last year.

But the firm’s troubles seemed far from over when one of the executives – former executive vice-president Riadh Ben Aissa – announced Friday he would sue the corporation “to set the record straight and re-establish his reputation.”

The public spat stems from a news release issued late Thursday by SNC-Lavalin. In it, the firm did not say whether the two executives had been fired or asked to resign, but mentioned that “questions regarding the conduct of SNC-Lavalin employees have recently been the focus of public attention. SNC-Lavalin reiterates that all employees must comply with our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.”

The insinuation that Ben Aissa was fired because he had not complied with company policies has harmed his reputation and his family, a spokesperson for Ben Aissa said yesterday.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Turmoil+atop+execs+turfed/6130640/story.html

Nobody is saying "nothing".

Only thing out of Ottawa is firing a warning shot. Australia does it much better!

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2. SNC-Lavalin’s man in Libya and his ties to Gadhafi's son

For years, whenever SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. had eyes on a major contract in Libya, it could count on one key executive to make it happen – Riadh Ben Aissa.

Mr. Ben Aissa played an invaluable role at the Montreal-based engineering firm, helping generate roughly $1-billion worth of work for SNC in Libya. He did it with an aggressive management style and a remarkably close relationship with Colonel Moammar Gadhafi’s son Saadi. The two were so close that whenever Saadi needed cash for cars, trips or property, he sent a message to Mr. Ben Aissa and the money arrived. And when Saadi came to Toronto in 2008 to check out the film festival, take courses in English and engineering and party with rapper 50 Cent, SNC picked up part of the tab.

On Friday, the former executive VP said he lamented the way his career has ended at SNC. He added that he was a loyal employee who had “spared no effort to protect the interests of the company, successfully” and always acted “in compliance with [the] company’s policies.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/snc-lavalins-man-in-libya-and-his-ties-to-gadhafis-son/article2335018/

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3. SNC-Lavalin insider letter sparks probe

Canadian engineering giant SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. has announced it is in the midst of a major internal investigation into $35 million in undocumented payments tied to its construction projects in Libya.

News of the probe comes on the heels of resignations earlier this month of the executive vice-president of SNC-Lavalin’s contruction arm, Riadh Ben Aïssa, and financial controller, Stephane Roy.

CBC News investigation has learned the probe, which was announced this week, began in December after an anonymous "poison pen" letter sent to senior executives and board members outlined a string of unproven criminal allegations involving kickbacks, misuse of supply companies and suggestions that the company has for years been used to funnel money from SNC-Lavalin through “shell companies” back to members of Libya’s Gadhafi family.

According to a number of insiders, the letter was taken seriously and served as a ‘tipping point’ to launch internal audits, especially of the company’s dealings in North Africa.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/02/28/snc-lavalin-internal-probe.html
Feb 28, 2012 6:48 PM ET


Canadian Cyndy Vanier, a consultant who allegedly had dealings with SNC-Lavalin, has been imprisoned in Mexico since November, accused of plotting to smuggle Gadhafi family members into Mexico. (Courtesy the MacDonald family)