Cash seized in Jersey as part of US bribery case

Jersey's Attorney General - who is based in Morier House - helped seize money paid for bribes

More than £230,000 from a Jersey-based bank account is being transferred back to Thailand following a US-led investigation.

Jersey's Attorney General said Gerald and Patricia Martha Green paid bribes to Juthamas Siriwan, a former Thai Tourism Authority governor, and her daughter Jittisopa for contracts to run projects such as the Bangkok International Film Festival.

In 2009, the Greens were convicted of money laundering and bribery in the US and the Siriwans were convicted in their home country for their role in the offences.

The attorney general said £236,173.81 seized from a Jersey bank account owned by Ms Siriwan had been transferred to the US before being given back to Thailand.

The payments to the Siriwans were made by the Greens between 2003 and 2007, the attorney general's office added.

Attorney General Mark Temple KC said the sum was thought to be just a fraction of the total global losses believed to be suffered by the Kingdom of Thailand through the bribes.

He added: "The successful repatriation of the funds serves to underline the commitment of the Jersey authorities to draw upon both criminal and civil powers as a means to assist its overseas partners in the global fight against corruption."