NSW: Cooper bribed HIH executive in exchange for millions: court

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2005
NSW: Cooper bribed HIH executive in exchange for millions: court

A Sydney court's been told businessman BRAD COOPER bribed a senior HIH executive to
help him secure claims worth millions of dollars from the insurance company.

46-year-old COOPER has pleaded not guilty to 13 criminal charges at the start of his
New South Wales Supreme Court trial.

Six charges relate to about $124,000 he allegedly paid HIH agent BILL HOWARD between
December 2000 and March 2001.

Crown Prosecutor LIONEL ROBBERDS, QC, says in exchange, Mr HOWARD helped settle claims
COOPER made on behalf of his companies against HIH.

COOPER is accused of publishing seven false or misleading statements while negotiating
the settlements, which allegedly netted his companies millions of dollars.

At the time, he was chief executive of security company Home Security International
and its subsidiary, FAI Home Security.

HIH had a substantial shareholding in HSI.

Mr ROBBERDS says COOPER and Mr HOWARD struck their corrupt deal at an suburban Sydney
pub in December 2000.

HIH collapsed in March 2001 with debts of $5.3 billion.

Cooper's trial continues tomorrow.

AAP RTV ka/nf/bk/jv

KEYWORD: COOPER (SYDNEY)

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