IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
v.
ABB MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA
PARTICIPATIONS AG,
Defendant.
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Criminal No. CR-01-N-135-S
Filed: April 11, 2001
Violation: 15 U.S.C. ยง 1
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PLEA AGREEMENT
The United States of America and ABB MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA
PARTICIPATIONS AG ("ABB MEA") hereby enter into the following Plea
Agreement pursuant to Rule 11(e)(1)(C) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
("Fed. R. Crim. P."):
RIGHTS OF DEFENDANT
1. ABB MEA understands its rights:
- to be represented by an attorney;
- to be charged by indictment;
- to plead not guilty to any criminal charge brought against
it;
- to have a trial by jury, at which it would be presumed not
guiltyof the charge and the United States would have to prove it guilty beyond a reasonable
doubt;
- to confront and cross-examine witnesses against it and to
subpoena witnesses in its defense at trial;
- to appeal its conviction if it is found guilty at trial; and
- to appeal the imposition of sentence against it.
AGREEMENT TO PLEAD GUILTY
AND WAIVE CERTAIN RIGHTS
2. ABB MEA waives the rights set out in Paragraph 1(b)-(f) above.
ABB MEA also waives the right to appeal the imposition of the sentence against it,
so long as the sentence imposed is consistent with the recommendation in
Paragraph 8 of this Plea Agreement. Pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 7(b), ABB MEA
will waive indictment and plead guilty under Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(e)(1)(C) to a
one-count Information to be filed in the United States District Court for the
Northern District of Alabama. The Information will charge ABB MEA with
participating in a conspiracy to suppress and eliminate competition by rigging the
bids on a United States-funded wastewater construction project in the Arab
Republic of Egypt, beginning at least as early as June 1989 and continuing at least
through September 20, 1996, in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1.
3. Pursuant to the terms of this Plea Agreement, ABB MEA will plead
guilty at arraignment to the criminal charge described in Paragraph 2 above and
will make a factual admission of guilt to the Court in accordance with
Fed. R. Crim. P. 11, as set forth in Paragraph 4 below.
FACTUAL BASIS FOR OFFENSE CHARGED
4. Had this case gone to trial, the United States would have presented
evidence to prove the following facts.
- For purposes of this Plea Agreement, the "relevant period"
is
that period beginning at least as early as June 1989 and continuing at least
through September 20, 1996. During the relevant period, SAE Sadelmi USA,
Inc., was an entity organized and existing under the laws of the State of New
York, with its principal place of business in North Brunswick, New Jersey.
SAE Sadelmi USA, Inc., was prequalified to bid on several construction
projects funded by the United States Agency for International Development
("USAID"), an agency of the United States. During the relevant period,
Elettrofin Societa Anonima Finanziaria Holding ("Elettrofin"), with its
principal place of business at Lugano, Switzerland (and later Milan, Italy
and subsequently Zurich, Switzerland), was responsible for the direction of
its affiliate, SAE Sadelmi USA, Inc. In February, 1995, Elettrofin was sold to
a third party, and prior to the sale, Elettrofin's ownership in other companies
was transferred to a successor corporation, which is now known as ABB
MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA PARTICIPATIONS AG. SAE Sadelmi USA, Inc.
and ABB MEA were, at all times during the relevant period, ultimately one
hundred percent subsidiaries of ABB Asea Brown Boveri, Limited,
headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.
- During the relevant period, ABB MEA participated in a
conspiracy to rig bids on Contract 29, a USAID-funded construction contract
in Egypt. In furtherance of the conspiracy, ABB MEA, through an officer and
an agent, engaged in conversations and attended meetings with other
members of the bid-rigging conspiracy. During those meetings and conversations, the
conspirators reached agreements relating to the bids on Contract 29, a USAID-funded
wastewater construction contract in Egypt, in
an effort to eliminate or reduce competition on Contract 29.
- During the relevant period, the equipment, materials, and
supplies necessary to the bidding and performance of Contract 29 and the
payments made by the United States under Contract 29 moved in interstate
and foreign commerce. The business activities of ABB MEA and
co-conspirators in connection with the bidding and performance of Contract
29 were within the flow of, and substantially affected, interstate and foreign
trade and commerce.
- Substantial activities in furtherance of the conspiracy
occurred
within the Southern Division of the Northern District of Alabama.
POSSIBLE MAXIMUM SENTENCE
5. ABB MEA understands that the maximum penalty that may be
imposed against it upon conviction for a violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act is a
fine in an amount equal to the largest of:
- $10 million (15 U.S.C. § 1);
- twice the gross pecuniary gain derived from the offense
(18 U.S.C. § 3571(d)); or
- twice the gross pecuniary loss caused to the victims of the
offense (18 U.S.C. § 3571(d)).
6. In addition, ABB MEA understands that:
- pursuant to § 8B1.1(a)(2) of the United States
Sentencing
Commission Guidelines ("U.S.S.G."), the Court may order it to pay restitution
to the victims of the offense;
- pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3013(a)(2)(B) and U.S.S.G.
§ 8E1.1, the
Court is required to order ABB MEA to pay a four hundred dollar ($400)
special assessment upon conviction for the charged offense; and
- pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3561(c)(1), the Court may
order a term
of probation of at least one year, but not more than five years.
SENTENCING GUIDELINES
7. Sentencing for the offense to be charged will be conducted pursuant to
the Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manual in effect on the day of sentencing.
Pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 1B1.8, self-incriminating information provided to the
United
States pursuant to this Plea Agreement, or in negotiation of this Plea Agreement,
will not be used to increase the affected volume of commerce attributable to ABB
MEA or to determine the applicable Guidelines range, except to the extent provided
for in U.S.S.G. § 1B1.8(b). For purposes of calculating the volume of commerce in
U.S.S.G. § 2R1.1 under this Plea Agreement, only evidence relating to Contract 29
is attributable to ABB MEA.
SENTENCING AGREEMENT
8. Pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(e)(1)(C), the United States and
ABB MEA agree that the appropriate disposition of the case is, and agree jointly to
recommend, that the Court impose a sentence requiring ABB MEA to pay a fine to
the United States in the amount of fifty-three million dollars ($53,000,000),
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3571(d), without interest, in accordance with 18 U.S.C.
§ 3612(f)(3)(A) and U.S.S.G. § 8C3.2.
- The recommended fine shall be payable as follows: a
payment of eight million dollars ($8,000,000) will be due within ninety days of the date
of sentencing; and five equal installments of nine million dollars ($9,000,000)
each will be due on the anniversary of the sentencing for the next five years,
without interest, in accordance with 18 U.S.C. § 3612(f)(3)(A) and U.S.S.G. § 8C3.2.
- ABB MEA agrees as part of sentencing to make restitution,
with the consent of USAID, by paying a sum of money and providing services to
USAID pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3663. (Attachment A).
- ABB MEA understands that the Court will order it to pay a
four hundred dollar ($400) special assessment pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3013(a)(2)(B) and U.S.S.G. § 8E1.1 in addition to any fine imposed.
- The United States and ABB MEA understand that the Court
retains complete discretion to accept or reject the agreed-upon recommendation provided for in this Plea Agreement. If the Court does not
accept the recommended sentence, this Plea Agreement will be void and
ABB MEA will be free to withdraw its guilty plea. (Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(e)(4)).
If ABB MEA does withdraw its plea of guilty, this Plea Agreement, the guilty
plea, and any statements made in connection with or in furtherance of the
plea or this Plea Agreement, or in the course of discussions leading to the
plea or the Plea Agreement, shall not be admissible against ABB MEA and
its parent organization, subsidiaries, and affiliates, in any criminal or civil
proceeding. (Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(e)(6)).
- ABB MEA agrees that it will maintain sufficient funds to
pay
the criminal fine installment payments imposed by this agreement without
substantially jeopardizing the continued viability of the organization.
(U.S.S.G. §§ 8C3.2, 8C3.3(b)). Attached to this Plea Agreement is a letter
from ABB Limited guaranteeing that it will provide any financial support
necessary for ABB MEA to maintain an adequate level of funding to pay the
fine imposed by the Court. (Attachment B).
9. The United States and ABB MEA jointly submit that this Plea
Agreement, together with the record that will be created by the United States and
ABB MEA at sentencing and the further disclosure described in Paragraph 10 of
this Plea Agreement, provides sufficient information concerning ABB MEA, the
offense charged in this case, and ABB MEA's role in the offense to enable the
meaningful exercise of sentencing authority by the Court under 18 U.S.C.
§ 3553.
The United States and ABB MEA will jointly request that the Court accept
ABB MEA's guilty plea and immediately impose sentence on the day of arraignment
pursuant to the provisions of Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(b)(1) and U.S.S.G. § 6A1.1. The
Court's denial of the request to impose sentence immediately based upon the record
provided by ABB MEA and the United States will not void this Plea Agreement.
10. The United States, prior to the sentencing in this case, will fully
advise
the Court of: all facts relating to ABB MEA's involvement in the charged offense;
all other relevant conduct; the fact, manner, and extent of ABB MEA's ongoing
cooperation pursuant to Paragraph 11 of this Plea Agreement; and its commitment
to prospective cooperation with the United States' investigation and prosecutions.
ABB MEA'S COOPERATION
11. ABB MEA and its parent organization, subsidiaries, and affiliates will
provide full and truthful continuing cooperation to the United States in the
prosecution of this case, the conduct of the current federal investigation of violations
of the federal antitrust and related criminal laws in the international construction
industry in the Arab Republic of Egypt, any other federal investigation resulting
therefrom, and any litigation or other proceedings arising or resulting from any
such investigation to which the United States is a party ("Federal Proceeding").
Such cooperation in any Federal Proceeding shall include, but not be limited to:
- immediately producing to the United States all documents,
information, and other materials not privileged under United States law,
wherever located, in the possession, custody, or control of ABB MEA or its
parent organization, subsidiaries, or affiliates requested by the United States
in connection with any Federal Proceeding; and
- using its best efforts to secure the ongoing, full, and
truthful
cooperation, as defined in Paragraph 12 of this Plea Agreement, of the
current and former directors, officers, or employees of ABB MEA and its
parent organization, subsidiaries, and affiliates as may be requested by the
United States, including making such persons available in the United States
and at other mutually agreed-upon locations, at ABB MEA's expense, for
interviews and the provision of testimony in grand jury, trial, and other
judicial proceedings in connection with any Federal Proceeding.
12. The ongoing, full, and truthful cooperation of each person described in
Paragraph 11(b) above will be subject to the procedures and protections of this
paragraph, and shall include, but not be limited to:
- producing in the United States and at other mutually
agreed-upon locations all documents (including claimed personal documents) and other materials
requested by attorneys and agents of the United States,
except for documents privileged under United States law;
- making himself or herself available on reasonable notice for
interviews, not at the expense of the United States, in the United States and
at other mutually agreed-upon locations, upon the request of attorneys and
agents of the United States;
- responding fully and truthfully to all inquiries of the United
States in connection with any Federal Proceeding, without falsely implicating
any person or intentionally withholding any information;
- otherwise voluntarily providing the United States with any
materials or information, not requested in Paragraphs 12(a)-(c) above, that
he or she may have related to any such Federal Proceeding; and
- when called upon to do so by the United States, testifying
in
trial and grand jury or other proceedings in the United States, fully,
truthfully, and under oath, subject to the penalties of perjury
(18 U.S.C. § 1621), making false statements or declarations in grand jury or
court proceedings (18 U.S.C. § 1623), obstruction of justice (18 U.S.C.
§ 1503), and contempt (18 U.S.C. §§ 401-402), in connection with any
such
Federal Proceeding.
GOVERNMENT'S AGREEMENT
13. The United States agrees to the following:
- Subject to the exceptions noted in Paragraph 13(c),
the United
States will not bring further criminal charges against any current or former
director, officer, or employee of ABB MEA and its parent organization,
subsidiaries, and affiliates (except for Eberhard VonKoerber, former member
of the executive committee of ABB Asea Brown Boveri, Limited, who is
specifically excluded from each and every term of Paragraphs 11(b), 12, and
13 of this Plea Agreement) for any act or offense committed prior to the date
of this Plea Agreement while the person was a director, officer, or employee of
ABB MEA or its parent organization, subsidiaries, or affiliates that was
undertaken in furtherance of, or in connection with, any antitrust conspiracy
in the international construction industry in the Arab Republic of Egypt, in
whole or in part, during the relevant period ("Relevant Offense"). Relevant
Offense does not include civil matters of any kind, any violation of the federal
tax or securities laws, or any crime of violence.
- Should the United States determine that any current or
former
director, officer, or employee of ABB MEA or its parent organization,
subsidiaries, or affiliates may have information relevant to any Federal
Proceeding, the United States may request such person's cooperation
pursuant to the terms of this Plea Agreement by written request delivered to
counsel for the individual (with a copy to the undersigned counsel for ABB
MEA) or, if the individual is not known by the United States to be
represented, to the undersigned counsel for ABB MEA.
- In the event that any person requested to provide
cooperation
pursuant to Paragraph 13(b) fails to comply with his or her obligations under
Paragraph 12 of this Plea Agreement, then the terms of this Plea Agreement
as they pertain to such person shall be rendered null and void, and the
agreement not to prosecute such person granted in this Plea Agreement shall
be void.
- Except as provided in Paragraph 13(e), information
provided to
the United States pursuant to the terms of this Plea Agreement pertaining to
any Relevant Offense committed while the person providing the information
was a director, officer, or employee of ABB MEA or its parent organization,
subsidiaries, or affiliates, or any information directly or indirectly derived
from such information, may not be used against such person in a criminal
case, except a prosecution for perjury (18 U.S.C. § 1621), making a false
statement or declaration in grand jury or court proceedings (18 U.S.C.
§ 1623), obstruction of justice (18 U.S.C. § 1503), or contempt (18
U.S.C. §§ 401-402).
- In the event a person who provides information to the
United
States pursuant to this Plea Agreement fails to comply fully with his or her
obligations under Paragraph 12 of this Plea Agreement, the agreement in
Paragraph 13(d) not to use such information, or any information directly or
indirectly derived from such information, against such person in a criminal
case shall be void.
- The non-prosecution terms of this paragraph do not apply
to any
civil liability to the United States, to any violation of the federal tax or
securities laws, or to any crime of violence.
- Documents provided pursuant to Paragraphs 11(a) and
12(a) of
this Plea Agreement shall be deemed responsive to outstanding grand jury
subpoenas issued to ABB MEA or its parent organization, subsidiaries, or affiliates.
14. Upon tender of the guilty plea called for by this Plea Agreement and
imposition of the agreed-upon sentence, and subject to the cooperation requirements
of Paragraph 11 of this Plea Agreement, the United States agrees
that it will not bring further criminal charges against ABB MEA and its parent
organization, subsidiaries, and affiliates for any Relevant Offense. The non-prosecution terms of
this paragraph do not apply to any civil liability to the United
States, to any violation of the federal tax or securities laws, or to any crime of
violence.
15. The United States agrees that when any person travels to the United
States for interviews, court appearances, or grand jury appearances pursuant to
this Plea Agreement, or for meetings with counsel in preparation thereof, the
United States will take no action, based upon any Relevant Offense, to subject such
person to arrest or service of process, or to prevent such person from departing the
United States. This paragraph does not apply to an individual's commission of
perjury (18 U.S.C. § 1621), making a false statement or declaration in grand jury or
court proceedings (18 U.S.C. § 1623), obstruction of justice (18 U.S.C. §
1503), or
contempt (18 U.S.C. §§ 401-402) in connection with any testimony provided in
trial,
grand jury, or other judicial proceedings in the United States.
16. ABB MEA understands that it may be subject to administrative or
other action by federal or state agencies other than the United States Department of
Justice, Antitrust Division, based upon any conviction resulting from this Plea
Agreement, and that this Plea Agreement in no way controls whatever action, if
any, such other agencies may take. However, the United States Department of
Justice, Antitrust Division, agrees that, if requested, it will advise the appropriate
officials of any government agency considering administrative or other action
against ABB MEA or its parent organization, subsidiaries, or affiliates, based upon
any conviction resulting from this Plea Agreement, of the fact, manner, and extent
of ABB MEA's cooperation, as a matter for such agency to consider before
determining what administrative or other action, if any, to take with regard to ABB
MEA or its parent organization, subsidiaries, or affiliates.
REPRESENTATION BY COUNSEL
17. ABB MEA has been represented by counsel and is fully satisfied that
its attorneys have provided competent legal representation. ABB MEA has
thoroughly reviewed this Plea Agreement and acknowledges that its attorneys have
advised it of the nature of the charges, any possible defenses to the charges, and the
nature and range of possible sentences.
VOLUNTARY PLEA
18. ABB MEA's decision to enter into this Plea Agreement and
ABB MEA's decision to tender a plea of guilty are freely and voluntarily made and
are not the result of force, threats, assurances, promises, or representations other
than the representations contained in this Plea Agreement. The United States has
made no promises or representations to ABB MEA as to whether the Court will
accept or reject this Plea Agreement.
VIOLATION OF PLEA AGREEMENT
19. ABB MEA agrees that, should the United States determine in good
faith, while any Federal Proceeding is pending, that ABB MEA has failed to provide
full cooperation (as described in Paragraph 11 of this Plea Agreement) or otherwise
has violated any other provision of this Plea Agreement, the United States shall
notify counsel for ABB MEA in writing by personal or overnight delivery or
facsimile transmission of its intention to void any of its obligations under this Plea
Agreement (except its obligations under this paragraph), and ABB MEA and its
parent organization, subsidiaries, and affiliates shall be subject to prosecution for
any federal crime of which the United States has knowledge including, but not
limited to, the substantive offenses relating to the investigation resulting in this
Plea Agreement. ABB MEA may seek Court review of any determination by the
United States of a violation of the Plea Agreement. In the event of any further
prosecution of ABB MEA resulting from a breach of this agreement, ABB MEA will
not interpose the statute of limitations as a defense with regard to any period which
passes after the date of this Plea Agreement.
ENTIRETY OF AGREEMENT
20. This Plea Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the
United States and ABB MEA concerning the disposition of the criminal charges in
this case. This Plea Agreement cannot be modified except in writing signed by the
United States and ABB MEA. ABB Limited has made certain additional
commitments in connection with this Plea Agreement, as reflected in Attachment B.
21. The undersigned, Max Abitbol, the President of ABB MEA, is
authorized to enter this Plea Agreement on behalf of ABB MEA as evidenced by the
Resolution of the Board of Directors of ABB MEA, attached hereto, and incorporated
herein by reference.
22. The undersigned attorneys for the United States have been authorized
by the Assistant Attorney General of the United States to enter this Plea Agreement
on behalf of the United States.
DATED: April 11, 2001 |
Respectfully submitted, |
/S/_____________________
MAX ABITBOL, President
ABB MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA
PARTICIPATIONS AG
/S/_____________________
GORDON L. LANG
LESLIE P. MACHADO
Counsel for ABB MIDDLE EAST &
AFRICA PARTICIPATIONS AG
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/S/_____________________
WILLIAM D. DILLON
JON R. SMIBERT
Attorneys, U.S. Department of Justice
Antitrust Division
Richard B. Russell Building
75 Spring St., S.W., Suite 1176
Atlanta, GA 30303
Tel.: (404) 331-7100
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ATTACHMENT A
April 10,
2001
Mr. Beat Hess
Senior Vice President
General Counsel and Secretary
ABB Ltd.
Affolternstrasse 44
CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland
Dear Mr. Hess,
This letter confirms that the United States Agency for International
Development ("USAID") has agreed to accept as restitution in the matter of United
States v. ABB MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA PARTICIPATIONS AG, now pending
in
the Northern District of Alabama, the provision of services by ABB Middle East &
Africa Participations AG and ABB Limited, and the payment to the U.S.
Department of Justice, Civil Division, of ten million dollars ($10,000,000), pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. § 3663(b)(5).
The terms of the services that have been provided, and will continue to be
provided, are as follows:
ABB Middle East & Africa Participations AG, and its parent and subsidiary
organizations, and sister companies will provide full and truthful continuing
cooperation to the United States in: the prosecution of this case; the conduct of the
current federal investigation into violations of the federal antitrust laws and any
other federal criminal laws in the international construction industry in the Arab
Republic of Egypt and any other federal investigation resulting therefrom; and any
litigation or other proceedings arising or resulting from any such investigation to
which the United States is a party. Such cooperation shall include, but not be
limited to:
(a) producing to the United States all documents, information,
and
other materials not privileged under United States law, wherever located, in
the possession, custody, or control of ABB Middle East & Africa
Participations AG, and its parent and subsidiary organizations as requested
by the United States in connection with any federal investigation of
violations of the federal antitrust laws and any other violations of criminal
laws arising out of the international construction industry in the Arab
Republic of Egypt, any other federal investigation resulting therefrom, and
any litigation or other proceedings arising or resulting from any such
investigation to which the United States is a party; and
(b) using its best efforts to secure the ongoing, full, and
truthful
cooperation, as defined in Paragraph 12 of the attached plea agreement, of the
current and former directors, officers, or employees of ABB Middle East &
Africa Participations AG (ABB MEA), and its parent and subsidiary
organizations as may be requested by the United States, including making
such persons available in the United States and at other mutually agreed-upon locations, at ABB
MEA's expense, for interviews and the provision of testimony in grand jury, trial, and other
judicial proceedings in connection
with any Federal Proceeding.
The ongoing, full, and truthful cooperation of each person described above will
be subject to the requirements outlined in the plea agreement, and shall include, but
not be limited to:
(a) producing in the United States and at other mutually
agreed-upon locations all documents (including claimed personal documents)
and
other materials requested by attorneys and agents of the United States,
except for documents privileged under United States law;
(b) making himself or herself available on reasonable notice for
interviews, not at the expense of the United States, in the United States, and
at other mutually agreed-upon locations, upon the request of attorneys and
agents of the United States;
(c) responding fully and truthfully to all inquiries of the United
States in connection with any Federal Proceeding, without falsely implicating
any person or intentionally withholding any information;
(d) otherwise voluntarily providing the United States with any
materials or information, not requested in Paragraphs (a) and (b) above, that
he or she may have related to any such Federal Proceeding; and
(e) when called upon to do so by the United States, testifying
in trial
and grand jury or other proceedings in the United States, fully,
truthfully, and under oath, subject to the penalties of perjury (18 U.S.C.
§ 1621), making false statements or declarations in grand jury or court
proceedings (18 U.S.C. § 1623), obstruction of justice (18 U.S.C. § 1503),
and
contempt (18 U.S.C. §§ 401-402), in connection with any such Federal
Proceeding.
USAID shall completely release, acquit, and forever discharge ABB MEA, the
employees, officers, and directors of ABB MEA, its subsidiaries, sister companies,
and parent companies, and their employees, officers, and directors from any
administrative claims, actions, or proceedings, including but not limited to
suspension and debarment proceedings/actions under 48 C.F.R. part 9, or any
applicable USAID supplement to that regulation, revocation of eligibility waiver, or
any other statute or regulation, for actions relating to the award of USAID-funded
construction contracts in the Arab Republic of Egypt from 1988 through 1996.
USAID has not become aware that any other federal agency is contemplating
bringing a suspension or debarment action against the above-referenced entities.
Further, USAID will not request, instigate, or otherwise encourage any other federal
agency to take any suspension or debarment action against any of the above-referenced entities
or individuals. Finally, USAID will inform any federal agency
that contacts USAID regarding the above-referenced entities that ABB MEA
cooperated fully with the government in this matter.
ABB Ltd. and any organization affiliated with ABB Ltd. will ensure that it
partipates fully in the compliance program that was presented to the USAID Office
of Inspector General (OIG), and when requested, ABB Ltd. will respond to any
questions presented to it concerning the compliance program. In the event that
there are any changes made to the program that substantially alter the present
curriculum, ABB Ltd. will advice the USAID OIG in writing.
USAID agrees that the services outlined above, in conjunction with the
payment of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) to the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil
Division, constitute adequate restitution, and USAID agrees to waive any further
claim it may have to restitution in this matter.
Finally, it is emphsized that all USAID commitments herein are subject to the
continuing observance of the commitments made by ABB Ltd. herein.
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Sincerely,
/S/
Robert Perkins
General Counsel, USAID
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ATTACHMENT B
William D. Dillon
Trial Attorney
United States Department of Justice
Antitrust Division
75 Spring St., S.W., Suite 1176
Atlanta, GA 30303
Dear Mr. Dillon:
This letter confirms the agreement of ABB Ltd of Zurich, Switzerland, parent
company of ABB MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA PARTICIPATIONS AG ("ABB MEA")
that it will guarantee payment of the fine levied against ABB MEA in the criminal
case currently pending against ABB MEA in the Northern District of Alabama, in
consideration for the plea agreement with the United States in that case. ABB Ltd
hereby agrees that it will guarantee the financial support necessary to ABB MEA to
make the periodic payments required by the United States District Court in
accordance with the Plea Agreement filed in the case.
In the event of bankruptcy or dissolution of ABB MEA, or any other event
that would prevent payment of the fine imposed by the United States District Court
for the Northern District of Alabama in the matter, or upon failure of payment, ABB
Ltd agrees that it will pay any sums due to be paid by ABB MEA in accordance with
the sentence imposed by the District Court pursuant to the attached Plea
Agreement. By execution of this letter, I hereby confirm as Secretary of ABB Ltd
that this guarantee of payment is binding upon ABB Ltd.
Sincerely,
/S/_____________________
Beat Hess
Senior Group Officer
Legal and Compliance
Enclosure
Dated: 11 April 2001
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/S/_____________________
Hans Enhorning
Assistant General Counsel
Vice President
ABB Ltd
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