FM to coordinate probing into film festival scandal

The TAT has already set up a committee to inquire the case, said the ministry's spokesman Tharit Charungvat.

Gerald Green and his wife, Patricia, both of Los Angeles were arrested on Tuesday over an allegation that the couple conspired to make more than US$1.7 million in bribe payments for the benefit of a government official with the TAT in order to obtain the film festival contract and other contract with TAT worth more than US$ 10 million.

The coup formed a company to bid for the management contract for the annual Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF).

The company allegedly conspired with others to bribe a senior Thai official who was then the President of the BKKIFF and the Governor of TAT.

"As a result of her position at the TAT, the Governor was able to influence the awarding of the BKKIFF contracts as well as other TAT contracts. More than US$1.7 million in payment were allegedly made for the benefit of the Governor," the US Department of Justice's statement said.

US Justice Ministry announced Tuesday that the complaint alleges the Greens conspired to make more than $1.7 million in bribe payments for the benefit of a government official with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to obtain the film festival contract and other contracts with TAT worth more than $10 million.

The couple owned and operated Film Festival Management, a Los Angeles-based business that was formed in 2003 specifically to bid for the management contract for the annual Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF).

The complaint alleges that from 2003 and continuing into 2007, the Greens conspired with others to bribe a senior Thai government official who was, at the time, the President of the BKKIFF and the Governor of the TAT.

As a result of her position at the TAT, the Governor was able to influence the awarding of the BKKIFF contracts as well as other TAT contracts. More than $1.7 million in payments were allegedly made for the benefit of the Governor.

The complaint also alleges that the Greens attempted to conceal their bribery, including using different business entities, some with dummy business addresses and telephone numbers, in their dealings with the TAT in order to hide the large amount of money the Greens were being paid under the contracts; and by making "commission" payments to the Governor through the foreign bank accounts of intermediaries.

The conspiracy and FCPA allegations each carry a maximum of five years in prison.

The criminal case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Jonathan E. Lopez of the Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Searby of the Central District of California. The case is being investigated by agents of the FBI, Los Angeles Field Office.