The allegations are understood to be contained in documents filed in a Miami, Florida, court by Canadian entrepreneur Craig Dobbin. He claims that his Barbados-based company, Aviaco International Leasing, was cut out of the sale after bribes totalling $786,000 were offered to Bhamanian Government officials. The deal was completed
The action is believed to have been filed several months ago, but only recently came to light after Canadian police reported that they were considering a criminal investigation into the $64 million deal.
A Bahamian Government commission of inquiry has also recommended prosecution of two cabinet ministers having concluded the deal did involve bribery.
Boeing sold de Havilland Canada to Bombardier in 1992. Both companies have denied the allegations.
Dobbin, who is better known as chief executive of Canadian Helicopter, claims that the loss of the BahamasAir sale caused the $300 million collapse of Aviaco.o
, which had been promised a role in the deal. Dobbin is claiming $900 million in damages from Boeing.
Source: Flight International
