The government has admitted it was unaware the two top executives in charge of the National Broadband Network were being investigated for ongoing corruption during their employment.
It has been revealed by The Australian that when the former Alcatel-Lucent executives Mike Quigley and Jean Pascal Beaufret were appointed to NBN Co. in mid 2009, they were also being investigated by the US Securities and Exchange commission for bribery allegations against the French telco giant.
South Australian Liberal senator Simon Birmingham has been pressing the government on the issue, but in a statement the government says that neither of the men were questioned on the matter when they were appointed.
‘Mr Quigley and Mr Beaufret did not declare the investigation at the time of appointment to NBN Co as neither were questioned as part of the investigation,’ the government statement said.
Both Mr Quigley and Mr Beaufret have denied being involved in any corrupt dealings during their time at Alcatel-Lucent
Leave a Comment