The Individual Respondent (“Respondent”) participated in the First Natural Disaster Risk Prevention and Mitigation Project (the “Program”). The Office of Institutional Integrity (“OII”) submitted a Statement of Charges and Evidence against the Respondent for allegedly engaging in a fraudulent practice related to the Program. OII accused the Respondent of misrepresenting information related to the verification of compliance with technical specifications by the contractor during implementation to obtain a financial benefit. Consequently, and in accordance with the Sanctions Procedures, the Sanctions Officer (“SO”) issued a Notice of Administrative Action (“Notice”) to the Respondent. The Respondent denied the allegations submitted by OII.

The SO determined that it was more likely than not that the Respondent engaged in a fraudulent practice. As a result, the SO imposed a sanction of debarment for a period of three (3) years, during which time the Respondent will be ineligible to participate or be awarded contracts for projects or activities financed by the Bank Group. In determining the sanction, the SO took into account the damages and losses caused to the works and the public as aggravating factors. The SO considered the Respondent´s cooperation during OII’s investigation as a mitigating factor.

The Respondent did not appeal the SO’s Determination before the Sanctions Committee, and therefore, in accordance with the Sanctions Procedures, the sanction imposed came into force.