The Queen’s former deputy property manager was charged Monday with taking more than £100,000 ($160,000) in kickbacks for royal contracts.
Ronald Harper, 61, a senior member of the Royal Household staff, was accused of taking bribes from building, heating and energy firms in exchange for mechanical and electrical work at Buckingham Palace and other properties, the Mail said this week.
The contracts were paid for with public funds.
Harper was given a knighthood for his personal service to the Queen in 2004 when she made him a Member of the Royal Victorian Order.
He allegedly accepted gifts of tens of thousands of pounds over six years, the Mail said. In return he awarded contracts for air conditioning, boilers, and other electrical services at inflated prices.
The work was also carried out in the London homes of Prince Harry, and Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Mail said.
Harper was suspended by the Royal Household two years ago.
He was charged with nine co-defendants who are alleged to have bribed Harper and inflated their contract prices.
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Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog. He can be contacted here.
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