Two former senior employees of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) face a seven week civil trial from today as the fallout over a probe into a Kazakh mining company continues.
John Gibson, a partner at Cohen & Gresser, and Tony Puddicstill, who is still a senior SFO investigator, are defending claims of misfeasance in a public office, conspiracy and breach of confidence. The SFO is also defending itself against the claims.
This case stems from the long-running civil dispute launched by Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC) in 2018 against the SFO, law firm Dechert, and former partner Neil Gerrard over alleged misconduct.
Last August, after 10 years, the SFO dropped its probe into ENRC.
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Mr Justice Waksman issued a judgment in 2022, which included findings that senior SFO officers acted on “bad faith opportunism” by holding meetings with third parties to pass on “intelligence” gathered on ENRC.
The case is now back at the High Court for a seven week trial starting on Monday, this time just focused on the SFO and senior employees.
The trial will focus on the witness statement provided last June, and will see further evidence provided by up to 10 current and former SFO employees.
In addition, during the trial, the court will hear allegations of Gibson arranging to meet with Financial Times journalist Tom Burgis in an underground car park days before an article about probe into ENRC was released.
Puddick is accused of leaking information regarding the ENRC Investigation to journalist Mark Hollingsworth.
Until recently, the SFO and Gibson were jointly represented by Eversheds Sutherland, but back in June, ENRC were informed that Gibson would then be separately represented by Slaughter & May.
The trial continues until the end of November.