UNITED NATIONS PROCUREMENT OFFICIAL
CONVICTED ON CORRUPTION CHARGES

MICHAEL J. GARCIA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that SANJAYA BAHEL, a former procurement supervisor at the United Nations, was convicted today in Manhattan federal court on all counts of an Indictment charging him with fraud and corruption. The evidence at trial established that NISHAN KOHLI -- who earlier pleaded guilty in the case and testified at trial as a Government witness -- and his relatives provided BAHEL with cash, first-class plane tickets, a computer, and a discounted rent and discounted purchase price on a three-bedroom apartment in an east side luxury high-rise, in exchange for BAHEL’s assistance in getting contracts from the United Nations Procurement Division for companies owned or represented by the KOHLIS. BAHEL’s assistance to the KOHLIS included providing inside information, providing advice (including advice on what prices to bid), helping the KOHLIS navigate problems they faced within the United Nations, ghost-writing the KOHLIS’ correspondence with the United Nations, and identifying vendors the KOHLIS could represent as consultants in connection with United Nations business.

BAHEL faces a statutory maximum sentence on Counts 1-4 (charging mail fraud and wire fraud arising from a scheme to deprive the United Nations of BAHEL’s honest services) of 20 years in prison per count, a maximum of 5 years on Count 5 (conspiracy), and a maximum of 10 years on Count 6 (corrupt payments accepted by official of organization receiving federal funds).

Mr. GARCIA praised the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In addition, Mr. GARCIA thanked the United Nations, and its Office of Investigative Oversight Services/Procurement Task Force, for their cooperation and assistance in connection with the prosecution.

BAHEL is to be sentenced on September 10, 2007 at 4:30 pm before the Honorable THOMAS P. GRIESA.

Assistant United States Attorney ALEXANDER WILLSCHER and Deputy United States Attorney CATHY SEIBEL are in charge of the prosecution.

07-141 

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