Bribery claim made in €500 million NS train contract

A NS consultant may have been involved in bribery in a deal to buy new trains. This is according to research done by RTL Nieuws. The consultant allegedly sold confidential NS documents to train builder Bombardier for thousands of euros.

NS is investigating the possible corruption. The consultant, Richard de L., has been suspended. On behalf of NS he was involved in a 500 million euro deal to purchase 118 so-called Sprinter New Generation trains, which will be delivered in 2018. NS has evidence that De L. leaked confidential documents to train builder Bombardier in 2012, receiving between 5 thousand and 10 thousand euros in return. Bombardier later withdrew from the tender procedure and the contract eventually went to Spanish company CAF.

"NS is taking this very seriously and have therefore immediately suspended the contract with the consultant and denied him access to the property and the IT systems", NS said to RTL. "An investigation is being conducted under the direction of an external lawyer. It will look at all the work that the consultant has done for NS over the years."

Bombardier is also unhappy with the corruption claims. "Bribery is not tolerated by Bombardier and is in conflict with our code of ethics." the company told the newspaper. "Our global business structure complies with all applicable laws. We will set up an internal investigation following the allegations."