Glencore embroiled in lawsuit over alleged fraud, breach of contract, and conspiracy


Iron ore trader Radiant World Corp and related companies have filed a lawsuit ‌against commodities giant Glencore in Singapore’s High Court, seeking more than $2bn in damages over allegations of fraud, breach of contract and conspiracy.

The logo of commodities trader Glencore is pictured in front of the company’s headquarters in Baar, Switzerland. Image credit: Reuters/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

A copy of the lawsuit, seen by Reuters, says Glencore deliberately concealed trading arrangements with Radiant World and related companies from its audited records while under US Justice Department compliance monitoring.

It says Glencore “directed those ​channels so that the true commercial arrangements would not be reflected in its audited records,” ⁠following its 2022 guilty pleas in the US to commodity price manipulation and bribery charges.

Vigorously contested

The dispute involves a ​2021 incident in which Glencore demanded Radiant World pay a mark-to-market exposure of $1.1bn on derivatives positions, when the long-standing ​practice had been to roll over such losses, according to the claim.

Glencore then extracted over $800m in payments between 2021 and 2026 through promises of a long-term partnership, before abruptly terminating the relationship this year, according to the filing.

“These claims ​are meritless, and we will contest them vigorously. We have incurred losses and been exposed to risks by Radiant ​World companies and will take appropriate action,” Glencore said in a statement.

A record of the filing was not publicly ‌visible on ⁠Singapore’s court website.

However, Radiant World published a statement on its website confirming the lawsuit.

“The claims, which include claims for damages exceeding $2bn, are set out in the statement of claim filed with the court,” the statement said.

“Radiant World rejects, in the clearest terms, the allegations of wrongdoing that have been made ​against it and the companies ​associated with it. This ⁠is, and has always been, a commercial dispute.”

Mounting challenges

London-listed Glencore, which said in early August it had booked a provision on its exposure to Radiant World, said it ​had “stopped all business and exited all obligations” with the company.

Radiant World has faced mounting challenges since banks and counterparties began distancing themselves over concerns that invoices provided to its banks may not have been valid.

Singapore’s police force said last month that it was investigating Radiant World after receiving reports about the company, but did not provide further details.

Radiant World has denied any wrongdoing, calling the claims inaccurate and unsubstantiated, and saying it “conducts its business ​to the highest commercial and legal standards”.

Radiant World’s lawsuit also alleges Glencore made damaging statements to financial institutions and to media outlets.



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