Pursuant to Sanctions Board Decision No. 124 issued in Sanctions Case No. 652, the Sanctions Board imposes a sanction of debarment for a period of three years on Mr. Bezhan Seraj (the “Respondent”).
This sanction is imposed on the Respondent for a fraudulent practice as defined in Paragraph 1.22(a)(ii) of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (May 2004), and Paragraph 1.23(a)(ii) of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers (January 2011).
Capsule Summary of Findings:
The Respondent was found liable for engaging in a fraudulent practice by misrepresenting his work experience in an application for a Bank-financed contract. The Sanctions Board found the evidence sufficient to support a finding that the Respondent acted knowingly, and that the fraudulent conduct served to improve the Respondent’s chances of winning the Bank-financed contract. In selecting the appropriate sanction for the Respondent, the Sanctions Board took into account all relevant aggravating and mitigating factors. Full discussion of the facts, parties’ contentions, and the Sanctions Board’s analysis can be found in the published decision.