AtkinsRéalis controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile7 entries
2022
Deferred prosecution agreement over bridge case
SNC-Lavalin entered a deferred prosecution agreement concerning the Jacques-Cartier Bridge matter and agreed to pay fines, surcharges and victim compensation totaling CA$29.6 million, according to the referenced material.
2019
SNC-Lavalin Construction sentenced for fraud in Libya operations
Fine or penalty
SNC-Lavalin Construction Inc. pleaded guilty to fraud against Libyan authorities and was sentenced to pay a $280 million fine over five years and serve three years of probation. The court record described payments benefiting Saadi Ghadafi.
Company response
Denial — SNC-Lavalin
SNC-Lavalin said in a statement Thursday that it intends to plead not guilty to the charges when the matters come to court.
Source excerpt
Through a joint recommendation, SNC-Lavalin Construction Inc. was sentenced to pay a $280-million fine over a five-year period and to three years of probation.
During a hearing before Quebec Court Judge Claude Leblanc, the company, represented by lawyer François Fontaine, pleaded guilty to committing fraud “against various Libyan authorities.”
“Bribes were paid from these accounts to a foreign public official and commissions were paid to various entities and individuals, including to Mr. Riadh Ben Aissa and to Mr. Sami Bebawi. In total, bribes of $50,276,761 were paid to the benefit of Saadi Ghadafi in the form of cash, a yacht, renovations to a condominium as well as extravagant travel and hospitality.”
2017
Jacques-Cartier Bridge bribery case
Former Federal Bridge Corporation chief executive Michel Fournier pleaded guilty to accepting bribes connected with the Jacques-Cartier Bridge repair contract. Canadian authorities later charged two SNC-Lavalin subsidiaries and two former executives in a related investigation.
2015
SNC-Lavalin charged over alleged Libya dealings
Lawsuit filed
The RCMP charged SNC-Lavalin and two subsidiaries with fraud and corruption over alleged dealings in Libya between 2001 and 2011. SNC-Lavalin denied the charges and said it would vigorously defend itself.
Company response
Denial — SNC-Lavalin
SNC-Lavalin denied the charges and in a statement said it will "vigorously defend itself."
Denial — SNC-Lavalin
SNC-Lavalin denies the charges and says it will vigorously defend itself.
Denial — SNC-Lavalin
SNC-Lavalin responded to Thursday's police announcement by saying the charges laid against the businesses are without merit, and not guilty pleas will be entered in the interest of its employees, clients, investors and stakeholders.
Source excerpt
SNC-Lavalin denied the charges and in a statement said it will "vigorously defend itself."
The company also allegedly defrauded Libyan officials of $129.8 million between the same dates.
SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., SNC-Lavalin International Inc. and SNC-Lavalin Construction Inc. are each accused of bribing one or more Libyan government officials with $47.7 million or more, between 2001 and 2011.
2004
Political-donation reimbursement investigation
Canadian authorities investigated allegations that SNC-Lavalin reimbursed employee political donations, a practice prohibited under Canadian electoral law. The referenced material describes an agreement with Elections Canada that avoided prosecution.
2001
Libya-related bribery allegations
Company management and historical contracts were investigated under Canada's Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act in connection with allegations of bribing Libyan officials between 2001 and 2011.
1995
Kerala hydroelectric contract allegations
SNC-Lavalin's contract to modernize hydroelectric stations in Kerala, India, later became the subject of allegations concerning bribery and financial irregularities. An Indian investigation led to the expulsion of several officials; the referenced material states that no charges were brought against the firm.