An article by Anat Roeh, published on March 17, 2011, in Calcalist, which reviews a derivative claim that runs our office against the Leviev Group for NIS 2.5 billion, claiming that it was negligent in managing S.H.G. GOLDEN & SILVER LTD, which engaged in gold mining in Kyrgyzstan.
The article can also be found at:
Http://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3511744,00.html
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Exclusive to Calcalist - Leviev's partner in SHG: "The Leviev Group asked me to approve bribery"
Benny Synbati is suing the Leviev Group for NIS 2.5 billion, claiming that it was negligent in managing the SHG company that engaged in gold mining in Kyrgyzstan. Leviev Group in Response: It was Synbati who sought the mandate to grant the bribe
Anat sees 07: 0217.03.11
Benny Synbati, Lev Leviev's business partner in SHG, claims that he was asked by the Leviev Group to "authorize Leviev to negotiate with an entity trying to take over the company's assets, and to offer him a bribe of 50% of the company's shares allotted to that entity."
SHG Golden & Silver owned mining concessions
Gold in Kyrgyzstan, and according to Synbati the company ran into a problem in early 2008 in which insolvency proceedings were opened against it. Synbati's claim was made in a derivative lawsuit in the amount of NIS 2.5 billion, which he has been conducting for the past two years against Leviev personally and other defendants from the Leviev Group, alleging negligent and even sabotage management of the company.
His claim that he was asked to approve the bribe is based on a letter dated March 6, 2008, addressed to Synbati's attorney, signed by Adv. Yitzhak Poren. The investor or someone on his behalf (referring to the Leviev Group) will negotiate with the party trying to take over the company, and will be allowed to offer him up to 50% of the company's shares, "while all shareholders pledge in advance in writing and give up all claims in advance. Or a demand in connection with the move ... from Mr. Leviev or someone on his behalf ... ".
In the response letter submitted by the defendants, it was alleged that this was a corrupt state, and that the company was caught in a coordinated attack by the government. It was further alleged that Synbati himself said he had information that the then president's son, Maxim in Kiev, was behind the attack and offered to "try and redeem the concessions with $ 10 million in cash". The reply states that under Synbati's proposal, the respondents believed that only a partnership in the company's assets would bring the same unknown factor to its satisfaction, and therefore the offer was detailed in Adv. Poren's letter. Synbati is represented by Shlomi Turgeman and Doron Afik, Bloom.
A spokeswoman for the Leviev Group said that "the disqualifier in Momo disproves. We are sorry that a dubious person whose corrupt motives are visible to all, defames without proof any companies, organizations and people whose business conduct is undisputed.