Global Investigations Review: Delving into an acquittal under the CFPOA, François Fontaine discusses the facts of the case

Canadian court clarifies threshold for foreign bribery convictions

The acquittal of Damodar Arapakota, charged with alleged bribery in violation of Canada’s Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (CFPOA), is the first time a defendant was found not guilty by a Canadian court under the act. Mr. Arapakota was accused of bribing a Botswanan official in exchange for letters confirming that the government of Botswana intended to engage Mr. Arapakota’s firm, Imex, for various services. The case is under appeal, and as Senior Partner François Fontaine explains, “It was the first time that a set of facts were unclear as to guilt, and therefore the court had to analyze and set the tone as to the criteria of the legislation.” Read the article for more information.