Bribery and Corruption Casebook: The View from Under the Table

CHAPTER 5

When Bribery Becomes a Way of Doing Business

AMINE ANTARI

Georges Terrin was a very successful man who loved traveling and meeting new people. Married three times and the father of five, Georges had a big family to provide for. Born in King Falls, a small city in Ireland, he grew up with two brothers and one sister. He was the oldest child and had to work every summer on the farm with his father to make money and help his family. At a very young age, Georges felt responsible for his siblings and wanted them to have a better life.

At the age of 19, it was time for Georges to go to the university and follow his dream of becoming an engineer. The move from a small city like King Falls to a much bigger one, Dublin, was a challenging and educational experience in itself. Throughout college, Georges was an outstanding student and excelled not only in engineering but also in business classes.

His business mind-set and engineering competencies helped him get hired right after finishing his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Easygoing and charming, Georges was the type of person who seemed to get anything he wanted with just a smile. His savvy and extensive engineering knowledge facilitated his ascension from an entry-level engineer to a vice president position in less than six years. One of the executives of the company, Steve Samson, had noticed Georges at an early stage of his career and had helped him climb the ladder faster than his peers.

Steve Samson was about 60 ...