Worker took bribes to funnel business, court hears

She and a co-worker are implicated in the scheme, which forced potential business partners of their company to pay to maintain relations.

DUBAI // A 44-year-old sales representative at European Sea Food Company took a Dh181.670 bribe as part of a scheme to extort companies dealing with her employer, a court was told this morning.

The Filipina VP also denied charges of stealing Dh155,000 from her employer as well as forging bills. Her colleague and compatriot RL, 33, an accountant at the same company, denied the same charges before the Dubai Crimnal Court of First Instance this morning.

But they both allegedly confessed during prosecution investigations.

According to prosecution records, LK, a Filipina colleague of the defendants, testified that in February, RL offered her a chance to join in a side business with VP.

LK, 38, told prosecutors that RL said the business involved forcing illegal fees on customers and companies that deal with their employer.

MM, a 48-year-old Tanzanian businessman, testified that one of them asked an employee at his company to join them as well, but, she informed him directly.

Prosecutors presented a financial audit report they say proves the two women stole money from the company.

The next hearing was scheduled for June 19.