Financial Transparency Coalition

The Olympic Games are a wonderful celebration of excellence in sport. But is there a danger thatcorruption may have tainted the Games? As London prepares to launch the Games tomorrow, it is sobering to reflect on whether the event is living up to the ‘respect for universal fundamental ethical principles’ cited in the Olympic Charter.

Aside from the empty seats, the big scandal of the Olympics so far has been the disqualification of eight badminton players for deliberately losing their matches. What’s that got to do with tax justice? Well since you ask…

Illegal poaching and trade of wildlife is a massive problem for developing countries, particularly those inAsia. Often these products find their way across boarders—stuffed into suitcases, packed into trucks, and occasionally carried. Protected and endangered species are killed and sold for their organs, flesh, bones, skin, and scales, which are turned into tonics, ornaments, meat, and traditional medicines. Of course this is an environmental problem. Many of these animals are endangered or protected. Of all the illegal wildlife product seizures inAustralialast year, two-thirds were traditional medicines containing ingredients from endangered species. But this is also a development problem and...

Multinationals blamed for illicit money transfer from Africa to developed countries All Ghana News, August 1, 2012 HSBC’s misdeeds require prosecution, not a settlement Politico, July 31, 2012 Cooperator Gets 18 Months in Complicated Bribery Case Wall Street Journal (blog), July 31, 2012 Avon in talks to settle bribery probe; profit plunges Reuters, August 1,