Serious Fraud Office takes another look at Fuji Xerox

Serious Fraud Office takes another look at Fuji Xerox

By Paul McBeth

Oct. 3 (BusinessDesk) - The Serious Fraud Office is taking another look at Fuji Xerox New Zealand, a day after the printing and office supplies group had one all-of-government contract terminated and another suspended.

A spokeswoman said the law enforcement agency has an open part two investigation underway. Under the act, that means the SFO has reasonable grounds to believe an offence has been committed and grants the director the ability to compel attendance to interviews. A part one inquiry means the SFO director is able to require the release of documents when serious or complex fraud is suspected

The white-collar crime investigator took a look at Fuji Xerox last year but decided not to proceed with a formal investigation. However, after an independent report commissioned by the Japanese parent Fujifilm Holdings revealed $355 million of "inappropriate accounting" in operations in New Zealand and Australia between 2011 and 2016, the SFO said it would review that investigation and take a look at any new material put in front of it.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment yesterday formally suspended Fuji Xerox's print technology and associated services contract, meaning the company won't be able to sign up new customers on the all-of-government deal until it meets certain criteria that won't be publicised. MBIE also terminated the office supplies agreement. The all-of-government contracts span 93 agencies.

Fuji Xerox had accepted a voluntary suspension in July on those two contracts plus a third deal providing print devices and print device management services and that was extended until October to allow for more talks between MBIE and the company.

Last week, Fuji Xerox appointed former MBIE deputy chief executive of corporate services Peter Thomas as its new managing director, having hired him last year as chief operating officer.

(BusinessDesk)

© Scoop Media