Judge approves $10.35-million fine for Griffiths Energy in bribery case

A judge has approved a $10.35-million fine to be paid by Griffiths Energy International Inc. for bribing the wife of a Chadian diplomat.

The privately held company plead guilty to a charge under the Corruption of Public Foreign Officials Act earlier this week.

Griffiths and the Crown agreed the $9-million fine, plus a 15-per-cent victim fine surcharge, reflected the severity of the offence, which took place under the watch of the company's previous management team.

The company admitted it paid $2-million to officials in Chad to get an advantage in two exploration blocks in the oil-rich African country.

The current management discovered the suspect contracts as they were doing preparations for an initial public offering, which has been called off.