The Office of Institutional Integrity submitted a Statement of Charges and Evidence against two principal individual Respondents for allegedly engaging in a collusive practice related to the Program. The Sanctions Officer (“SO”) determined that it is more likely than not that both principal Respondents engaged in a collusive practice. As a result, the SO imposed a sanction of debarment for a period of five (5) years during which time both Respondents will be ineligible to participate or be awarded contracts for projects or activities financed by the Bank Group.

In accordance with Section 8.3 of the Sanctions Procedures, the sanction was extended to a firm that was jointly controlled by the sanctioned Respondents. In determining the extension of this sanction, the SO took into account that these sanctioned Respondents separately exercised control, one as the legal representative, and the other as founder of the firm. Accordingly, both had the power to direct the management of the firm.