Congress MP among 6 charged in US corruption case

Firtash allegedly met with Indian government officials, including the then Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, to discuss the project and its progress.

He authorised payment of at least USD 18. 5 million in bribes to both state and central government officials in India to secure the approval of licenses for the project.  

Firtash also allegedly directed his subordinates to create documents to make it falsely appear that money transferred for the purpose of paying these bribes was transferred for legitimate commercial purposes and appointed various subordinates to oversee efforts to obtain the licenses through bribery.

As alleged in the indictment, Knopp supervised the enterprise and together with Firtash met Indian government officials.

Knopp also met with Company A representatives to discuss supplying titanium products from the project.  Gevorgyan allegedly traveled to Seattle and met Company A representatives.

Gevorgyan also engaged in other activities, including allegedly signing false documents, monitoring bribe payments and coordinating transfers of money to be used for bribes.  

Lal, also known as “Gaj”, allegedly engaged in similar activities, reported to Firtash and Knopp on the status of obtaining licenses and recommended whether and in what manner to pay certain bribes to government officials.  

The indictment alleges that Sunderalingam met with Rao to determine the total amount of bribes and advised others on the results of the meeting.

Sunderalingam identified various foreign bank accounts held in the names of nominees outside India that could be used to funnel bribes to Rao, the indictment alleges.