'Ben Sulayem fires FIA top men who doubted his ethical conduct'
- Ludo van Denderen
The FIA has fired two financial oversight committee members after they raised concerns about a $1.5 million fund set up by chairman Mohammed Ben Sulayem, British newspaper The Times reports.
According to The Times, two of the four members of the audit committee members after they questioned whether or not it was appropriate for FIA President Ben Sulayem to make $1.5 million available to motorsport associations around the world, AKA the parties that will decide on his re-election. Bertrand Badré (commission president) and Tom Purves, the members who raised the ethical issue, were dismissed three days later.
Ben Sulayem allegedly did not tell the truth
The Times also said that in February, the committee was informed about the absence of receipts from Ben Sulayem's declarations. The Emirati's expenses were said to be 1.5 million dollars—which his lawyers claimed was his right. The financial committee believed Ben Sulayem intended to spend part of that money on maintaining his private jet. It later came to light that the money would be spent differently.
Ben Sulayem, who works without pay, is required by French law to invoice all receipts for declarations. The FIA is based in Paris. When Ben Sulayem was asked for receipts, he decided to no longer use his right to expenses and to pay his expenses from his own pocket.
This article has been translated by Savannah Lenz.