Former MoD official jailed for taking 拢70k in kickbacks
SFO has secured a 30-month prison sentence and a 拢123,000 confiscation order for Jeffrey Cook, a former Ministry of Defence (MoD) official.
Image of cash
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has secured a 30-month prison sentence and a 拢123,000 confiscation order for Jeffrey Cook, a former Ministry of Defence (MoD) official. This follows his conviction for misconduct in public office for taking secret payments in exchange for commissioning work from offshore consultants.
An SFO investigation found he received over 拢70,000 worth of payments and gifts, comprising 拢44,000 in cash and two cars. Mr Cook received the kickbacks while employed at the MoD and seconded to UK defence contractor Paradigm.
Mr Cook鈥檚 sentencing caps a complex investigation and prosecution by the UK鈥檚 leading agency for tackling complex fraud, bribery and corruption, which also saw the successful prosecution of GPT Special Project Management Ltd which pleaded guilty to corruption in 2021 and paid a penalty of nearly 拢30 million.
Director of the Serious Fraud Office, Nick Ephgrave QPM, said:聽
I am proud of my team for their determination and tenacity in prosecuting a complex case of corruption involving the defence industry.
Today鈥檚 sentencing demonstrates the Serious Fraud Office鈥檚 ability to hold individuals to account, particularly when their actions undermine trust in our institutions.