Former Willbros consultant admits bribery plot

HOUSTON - A former Willbros International consultant pleaded guilty on Nov. 12 to two federal charges in the payment of more than $6 million in bribes to Nigerian officials in exchange for pipeline contracts.
Paul G. Novak, 43, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and one count of violating the act, which prohibits bribing officials for business overseas.
Novak was charged along with James Kenneth Tillery, a former executive of Willbros International, who is a fugitive. Two other Willbros employees, Jim Bob Brown and Jason Steph, have pleaded guilty for their roles in the scheme but have not yet been sentenced.

Wilbros denies picketers’ claims that it’s paying substandard wages on pipeline construction jobs

JACKSONVILLE, Texas – Wilbros began work in March on a 143-mile Energy Transfer Partners’ natural gas pipeline that passes through northern Cherokee County on its way to Minden, Texas, from Maypearl, Texas.
Officials with Willbros Group, the construction company building the pipeline, have said they will employ as many as 1,200 workers at its peak.
At least two union groups have been picketing Willbros Group’s local headquarters in protest of the company’s hiring practices.
“We’ve been picketed at several locations over the years,” said Harry New, Wilbros project director for the natural gas pipeline.
New said some of the reasons the Texas picket line formed aren’t true –specifically, allegations concerning the company’s employment pools and pay scales.
“All the people we hire are legal to work in the U.S.,” New said. “We’ve also implemented a 401K and offer benefits. It’s up to the employee to elect to take advantage of them.”