The investigation into Gupta-linked firm Trillian and international consultancy firm McKinsey could go international if Corruption Watch gets its way, TimesLive reported on Wednesday night. Corruption Watch plans to use new evidence that emerged this week to make submissions to the US Department of Justice, and is also considering submitting evidence to the UK and European authorities.
This follows an explosive statement by former Trillian chief executive, Biance Goodson, made public this week, that alleges that Trillian, instead of the subcontracting role it was frequently employed to perform, was a gatekeeper to government for international firms seeking large contracts.
For a substantial stake of the contract fees, Trillian reportedly used its connections to government officials to secure meetings and contracts for firms like McKinsey. Often, no work was done by Trillian. McKinsey and Trillian have denied the allegations.
Corruption Watch's David Lewis told TimeLive that he was more convinced than ever that anti-corruption laws had been broken in South Africa and the US.
Trillian was until recently majority owned by Gupta ally, Salim Essa.
In a R1.6-billion deal with Eskom, Trillian reportedly received R495-million for work it did not do. Lewis said this demonstrated clearly that the relationship between McKinsey, Eskom and Trillian was a scam.
"While Trillian was presented as a subcontractor‚ Trillian was clearly in the information seen not to have been expected to do any work‚" Lewis told TimesLive.