Republic of Tajikistan

Second Public Employment for Sustainable Agriculture and
                   Water Resources Management Project



                                      Redacted Report




                                            March 2020
                            Statement of Use and Limitations

This Report was prepared by the World Bank Group (the WBG) Integrity Vice Presidency
(INT). It provides the findings of an INT administrative inquiry (the Investigation) into
allegations of corrupt, fraudulent, collusive, and/or coercive practices, as defined by the
WBG for purposes of its own policies, rules and procedures (the WBG’s Framework
regarding Anti-corruption), in relation to the WBG-supported activities. The purpose of
the Investigation was to allow the WBG to determine if the WBG’s Framework regarding
Anti-corruption has been violated.

This Report is being shared to ensure that its recipients are aware of the results of the INT
Investigation. However, in view of the specific and limited purpose of the Investigation
underlying this Report, this Report should not be used as the sole basis for initiating any
administrative, criminal, or civil proceedings. Moreover, this Report should not be cited
or otherwise referred to in the course of any investigation, in any investigation reports, or
in any administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings.

This Report is provided without prejudice to the privileges and immunities conferred on
the institutions comprising the WBG and their officers and employees by their respective
constituent documents and any other applicable sources of law. The WBG reserves the
right to invoke its privileges and immunities, including at any time during the course of an
investigation or a subsequent judicial, administrative or other proceeding pursued in
connection with this matter. The WBG’s privileges and immunities cannot be waived
without the prior express written authorization of the WBG.




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Background

The Second Public Employment for Sustainable Agriculture and Water Resources
Management Project (the “Project”) in Tajikistan aims to improve food availability and
food access for low-income people in poor rural areas.

The Project Management Unit (the “PMU”) issued a Letter of Invitation for the selection
of a PMU staff member under a World Bank-financed contract. In response to this, several
consultants submitted their Curricula Vitae (“CVs”). The Evaluation Committee
recommended that the contract be awarded to Individual A, based on the responsiveness of
Individual A’s CV to the “technical and other related aspects specified in the [Terms of
Reference].”

Subsequently, in response to the PMU’s request, Individual A submitted a copy of an
attestation purportedly signed by the director (the “Director”) of another project
implementation unit (the “PIU”). The document stated that Individual A had been
employed by the PIU for over four years.

After the PMU and Individual A signed the contract for the PMU staff member position,
Individual A re-submitted to the PMU another copy of the same attestation, bearing the
same signature.

Allegations and Methodology

The World Bank noted that the signature on the attestations submitted by Individual A
were potentially falsified and referred the matter to the World Bank Group Integrity Vice
Presidency (“INT”). INT’s investigation consisted of, among other things, a review of
Project documents and obtaining a statement from the Director.

Findings

       Evidence indicates that Individual A submitted a fraudulent past employment
       attestation to the PMU.

The World Bank noted that the Director’s signature on Individual A’s attestation did not
match the Director’s signature in an audit report for a different project managed by the
same Director. To verify the authenticity of the signature on the attestation submitted by
Individual A, the World Bank sent the Director a copy of the attestation. The Director
replied that the signature on the attestation was “invalid.”

INT gave Individual A detailed notice of INT’s findings and requested his/her response.
Individual A did not reply.

Corrective Actions

The World Bank imposed the sanction of debarment with conditional release on Individual
A, extending to any entity that Individual A directly or indirectly controls.



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