Industrial spies face brazilian justice

Brazilian justice has accepted two of three accusations by the Public Ministry against 27 people involved in industrial espionage, chiefly the chairwoman of a Communications firm and a bank president.

According to the Estado (State) Agency, 19 employees and collaborators of the US Kroll transnational, hired to engage in espionage to control the third largest telephone firm in Brazil, have been indicted.

The North American personnel are charged with creating gangs and corruption, among other crimes.

They can be sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Denunciations were triggered by espionage launched in Brazil through Kroll to investigate Italy's TELECOM, which is competing with to control TELECOM Brazil.

(Published: Prensa Latina, June 9, 2005)
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