6 Nov 2015

Government officials face corruption charges in Guam

8:50 pm on 6 November 2015

Five customs officers, two tax department compliance officers and three other residents in Guam have pleaded guilty to corruption after a lengthy sting operation.

The Tumon tourist district in Hagatna, the capital of Guam, the US territory in the western Pacific.

Guam. Photo: AFP

The Pacific Daily News reports that a presentencing report for defendant and businessman, Ruel Valencia, details the illegal activities of the government officials.

Mr Valencia agreed to cooperate with officials and go undercover to bribe officials with public money for four years following his arrest in 2011.

The report says the officials accepted bribes from Mr Valencia in connection with operations to smuggle cigarettes from the Philippines into Guam.

Agency officials say the corrupt officers have all retired or resigned.